FTC to ban most telemarketing 'robocalls' Sept. 1

[The Straight Story]

FTC to ban most telemarketing 'robocalls' Sept. 1

By DEBORAH YAO (AP) – 1 hour ago

Many of those annoying prerecorded telemarketing calls will be history starting Sept. 1.

The Federal Trade Commission said Thursday that it is banning these "robocalls" to consumers, unless the telemarketer has written permission from a customer that he or she wants to receive these calls.

FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz said American consumers have made it "crystal clear that few things annoy them more than the billions of commercial telemarketing robocalls they receive every year."

Violaters will face penalties of up to $16,000 per call.

The ban is part of the amendments to the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule unveiled a year ago.

But there are exceptions. Calls that are not trying to sell goods and services to consumers will be exempt, such as those that provide information like flight cancellations and delivery notices and those from debt collectors.

Other calls not covered by the Telemarketing Sales Rule include those from politicians, charities that contact consumers directly, banks, insurers, phone companies, survey calls and certain health care messages such as prescription notifications. These don't fall under the jurisdiction of the FTC, a commission spokesman said.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hGjACTfw-Rcohi_SELMEx03_PSFgD9ABB64G0

[tosh]

1. About time.

I have been diligent in reporting mine at donotcall.

[havocmom]

2. Will the callers just go offshore?

If not, it appears to be a step in the right direction.

[tosh]

3. It's just for robocalls. nt

[havocmom]

6. Yes, but SOMEBODY is the caller, the thrower of the switch that makes the calls happen

Wondering if the companies that do that will just move offshore.

[tosh]

8. Duh on me! Yes, you're right. This will only make them hire humans

so, yes likely offshore.

[FiveGoodMen]

4. !

:bounce:

[LeftinOH]

5. Thats like trying to ban mosquitos; there will still be robocalls, no matter what n/t

[havocmom]

7. calls are easier to trace than skitters

;)

[gkhouston]

9. Damn! I'd better to rush to get that car warrany before the offer expires!!! n/t

[The Straight Story]

10. But if you act now, we will also insure your toilet for half price! (nt)

[gkhouston]

11. Um, would that be health insurance or whole (hole?) life? n/t

[Statistical]

12. woot!

[proteus_lives]

13. Good!

Those robocalls are fucking annoying!

[Berry Cool]

14. One thing people also need to learn is to stop inadvertently signing themselves up to be robocalled.

Now that it's illegal for telemarketers to call you unless they have a "prior business relationship" with you, they're finding new ways to get your consent to call.

The most popular way: when you fill out a form in a mall or store and enter it in a drawing to give away a prize, such as a car.

If you bother to read the very fine print on the back of the form, you will usually see that the sponsor of the prize drawing is something like one of those shady vacation companies that tries to get you to buy a pricey timeshare by requiring you to listen to their sales pitch. Well, if you enter the drawing and give them your number, they're allowed to call you and pitch you.

[The Straight Story]

16. There should be an opt out box on back then

So that you can fill out form for the offer but opt out of calls.

[LiberalEsto]

15. Good! They should also require

that these callers MUST display their phone numbers on Caller ID, instead of "Private" or "Unavailable."

Anybody who calls out house with a blocked phone number gets an instant pickup-hangup.

[yost69]

17. If this works as good as the do not call list. It will be worthless.