If you ask any American to name the things they love the most, they are sure to reply, “debt collectors, intrusive pre-recorded phone calls, and the federal government!” So today — under orders to do so from a piece of rushed, tacked-on legislation — the Federal Communications Commission released its final rules allowing the federal government and some of its contractors to make debt-collection robocalls to wireless lines. [More]
who can it be now?
Should Caller ID Spoofer Be Held Liable For Users Who Make Harassing Calls?
By 5.4.16
Spoofing phone numbers — the practice of making it appear to the caller ID system that you’re calling from a different number — is not illegal, so long as the spoofing is not done to commit fraud or otherwise perpetrate a crime. But even when the intent of the spoofing crosses the legal line, does the company providing the spoofing service bear any culpability? [More]
Capital One Isn’t Coming To Visit You, Probably
By 3.3.14
A few weeks ago, Capital One sent customers a contract update that told them that it could drop by their home or workplace whenever they feel like it, and call them up without disclosing their identity. Capital One must not have predicted the response from customers, since now the company really, really want them to know that debt collectors are not going to stop by for a chat. Unless it’s about your snowmobile. [More]
Capital One Contract Update Gives Company Ability To Visit You At Home
By 2.18.14
Maybe they should change their slogan from “What’s in your wallet?” to “Who’s knocking at your door?” Capital One recently updated its contract for credit card customers, and the new language is giving some cardholders concern that Cap One may just pop in for tea and scones some afternoon. [More]
It’s Completely Legal To Spoof Phone Numbers
By 6.21.13
At some point in your life, you’ve probably received a call where the name and/or number that showed up on caller ID was not the actual name/number of the caller. It’s known as spoofing, and many people assume it’s illegal. Those people would be wrong. [More]
Barclays Replacing Security Questions With Voice-Recognition
By 5.9.13
We know you all love calling your bank and being asked the same security questions over and over; and we’re sure that bank employees get a real kick out of having to ask these questions and hearing customers groan. Barclays thinks it has the answer to the problem — voice-recognition software. [More]
Chase Won't Stop Calling For My Dead Mom Every Day At 4 A.M.
By 8.23.12
For the month of August, consumer advocate Christopher Elliott will occasionally be sharing some of the questions and problems he receives from readers. In this week’s case, Kimberly says a day doesn’t go by that Chase bank’s auto-dialing system doesn’t call her at 4 a.m. with automatic account notifications for her mother, who happens to have been dead for two years. Can anyone put an end to the hassle? [More]
Did FTC Spoil Its Own Surprise Announcement?
By 9.27.11
Earlier today, the Federal Trade Commission posted a media alert for a Wednesday morning press conference to announce an action against a “major marketer of consumer goods” that will result in millions of dollars in refunds being given to consumers. But while the Commission wanted to keep secret the name of this mystery major marketer, they may have given it away in the URL of the media alert. [More]
NY Town Considering 'Do Not Knock' List
By 7.28.10
The people in Rye, NY, are so fed-up with unsolicited visitors banging on their doors to sell them something or ask for their support in an election that they’re considering creating a “Do Not Knock” registry that would forbid door-to-door types from interrupting their peace and quiet. [More]
Help! Cablevision Is In The Hall Listening Outside My Door!
By 6.23.10
Reader Newman says he got a voicemail from a Cablevision guy that was in the hallway at his work, listening through his office door. He tells us this is the final straw and he’ll be getting FiOS… [More]
