Consumerist
-
killthecalls
Tired Of Telemarketers? Try Suing Them
In yesterday's post on rude telemarketers and the people who hang up on them, reader/advice giver Amy Alkon said she just successfully sued a telemarketer in Santa Monica Small Claims Court—and won! If you're one of those unlucky people who can't get the calls to stop, here's how she did it. More » -
telemarketers
Angry Telemarketer Calls Back, Chews You Out For Hanging Up
This telemarketer has had it up to here with all of you people at home hanging up on her every time she needs to sell you something! Randall Whited in Austin, Texas, received an earful recently, when he answered the phone shortly after hanging up on the unnamed telemarketer. More » -
Leverage Connections
Meet Leverage Connections, King Of The Robocallers
Last week we reported that some types of unwanted robocall telemarketing will soon be banned. If you're on the receiving end of Leverage Connections' prerecorded harassment—they frequently operate under the generic names "Consumer Services" or "Credit Card Services"—you'll finally have a way to formally complain to the FTC about them. Why would you want to complain? Because they're the scammiest, most obnoxious robocall telemarketing company we've seen so far—even though what they do is apparently legal. More » -
telemarketing
FTC Listens To Your Complaints, (Mostly) Bans Telemarketer Robocalls
After reviewing the more than 14,000 comments left by living human beings, the FTC yesterday amended its Telemarketing Sales Rule to ban most types of robotic telemarketing calls. By this December, any recorded calls will have to lead off with an automated opt-out option; by September 2009, telemarketers will need prior written permission to contact someone—simply being a recent customer won't cut it.
Of course, there are still exceptions. More »
-
att
AT&T Calls 9 Times In 12 Days Trying To Sell DSL
Would you buy DSL service from a company that either doesn't care about Do Not Call lists or doesn't know how they work? A man in Missouri was harassed to the point where he considered calling the police, because no matter what he did, AT&T wouldn't stop calling. Every time he tried contacting AT&T to get it to stop, he ended up in automated phone systems with recorded messages, busy signals, and disconnections—but never a live person. Only after he wrote to a local consumer advocacy columnist did AT&T pay attention and turn off the telemarketing fire hose. AT&T didn't, however, explain why they were targeting this person, or whether anyone else is facing the same barrage of calls. More » -
do not call
How To Report Do Not Call List Scofflaws To The Proper Authorities
Reader Brian says that he's getting weird scammy calls about "lowering his interest rates" and would like to know what he should do about it. More » -
-
telemarketing
Dish Telemarketer Fined $75,000 For Hanging Up On Customers
The FTC fined a Dish Network telemarketing firm $75,000 for hanging up on customers, reports the Deseret News. The company used teleautobots to dial peoples' homes, which were then supposed to connect to a live telemarketer when someone picked up. However, the system would sometimes get more live customers than there were telemarketers, leaving some customers with a silent line. Federal regulations stipulate that if you use teleautobots, you have to connect the customer to a person within two seconds. The FTC made this law because people, in particular women and old people, were worried they were being stalked when they answered the phone and no one was there.
Provo marketing firm fined for hanging up on customers [Deseret News] (Thanks to Brandon!) (Photo: Getty)
-
Solicitations
Dear New York Philharmonic: Please Don't Call Me In The Middle Of Performances To Ask For Money
As I enjoyed the New York Philharmonic's production of Tosca this past Tuesday, I received a solicitation call. From the New York Philharmonic. More » -
sales pitches
Discover's Speed-Reading Sales Technique Means You Can Get To "No" Faster
A zealous Discover rep tried to get Richard to sign up for a "protection program" by speeding through the details of the agreement as fast as possible—you know, the fine print part that makes it clear you're agreeing to a paid service. When Richard made it clear that he wanted to hear the details again and that no, he hadn't agreed to anything, the rep hung up on him. Discover, maybe you want to have a talk with your reps about their sales techniques. More » -
telemarketing
Domino's Pizza, Please Stop Calling Me To Tell Me Your Specials
Reader Ron is annoyed that Domino's Pizza will not stop calling his cellphone 1-3 times a week to let him know the specials. Yuck! More »
Telemarketing
New York, 11:29 AM
Sun Nov 23
0 posts in the last 24 hours
Tip Your Editors:
tips@consumerist.com
Editor:
Ben Popken | Email | AIM
Senior Editor:
Meghann Marco
Email | AIM
Interns:
Alex Jarvis | Email
- DeadspinCharlie Weis
- ValleywagJackpot
- ConsumeristScams
- DefamerNsfw
- Jezebelpot psychology
- KotakuBlack Friday
- GawkerThe Office
- LifehackerLifehacker Top 10
- io9Counterpoint
- JalopnikPorsche Panamera
- GizmodoAirline wi-fi
- FleshbotNSFW
