DETROIT – Calls from telemarketers and robots, or robocalls, hound the phone lines and are common complaints to Ruth to the Rescue.
Frustrations range from private phone numbers being found out to the all-too-familiar "please press one."
Separating telemarketers and robocalls
Telemarketers and robocalls must abide by rules. However, those rules are different for each type of call. For example, the Do Not Call registry only helps with live telemarketing calls, when a live person is actually calling you. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says many reputable companies honor the registry.
"The Do Not Call registry is working because what consumers aren't seeing are the many, the thousands, of companies that download the registry and comply with the law," said Bikram Bandy, the program's coordinator the Federal Trade Commission.
Robocalls are never allowed on cellphones, unless you have given the caller prior written consent, or it's an emergency.
"In all my time doing this, I've never seen a customer knowingly and willingly give a company written permission to send them robocalls," Bandy said.
This is an important distinction because, in many cases, the telemarketing robocalls you receive are already illegal.
"Technology has made this problem worse," Bandy said. "The illegal operations can make lots of calls and do it in a way that it's really hard to track them down."
If someone is trying to sell you something through a robocall, it's a big red flag. You could be dealing with a scam artist.
"Be very, very wary because this company is showing you that they're breaking the law just by contacting you," Bandy said. "And you know you have to wonder what other types of laws, laws that company is going to be breaking."
Robocall exceptions
Robocalls do have some legal exceptions. A robocall to a landline is allowed for debt collectors, charities, consumer surveys and political campaigns. The exception for political campaigns didn't sit too well with some people Ruth to the Rescue spoke with.
"Just because I'm a registered voter doesn't give them a right to call me 24 hours a day," said Gary Perzigian, a Traverse City resident.
The FTC says Congress allows political calls in order to avoid trampling on the right to free speech or impeding political debate.
Fighting back
While you won't be able to avoid the robocalls allowed by law or the scammers, putting yourself on the Do Not Call Registry will stop reputable companies from calling you.
"We do encourage consumers to register all of their phone numbers on the Do Not Call registry, and that would include landline and cellphone," Bandy said.
One thing that people to that could make spam calls worse is to press any button during a robocall.
You absolutely must fight the impulse to respond to button prompts or else you're telling the scammers that your phone is reaching a live person.
Other questions, answers about robocalls
- Can I block callers? The short answer is yes, but check with your phone provider to see if there's a charge. Plus, many of the robocallers will change the numbers they use, which could make any relief temporary.
- You can, and should, complain to the Federal Trade Commission when you get these calls. The FTC has sued hundreds of companies and individuals for placing unwanted calls. The FTC is also leading several initiatives to develop technology-based solutions.
- If you've given the FTC a specific number and the calls don't stop, what's going on? The FTC does investigate certain numbers, but many times the callers can use "spoofing" to have a fake number pop up on your caller ID. This technology does slow down the investigations.
- You can also complain to the Federal Communications Commission, certain calls fall under its jurisdiction.
- Your best defense is to not pick up the calls at all. If you do, be sure never to give any personal information, credit card info, or other details to someone who calls after the phone. Even if you think you're being discrete, you may give them the one piece of information they need to steal your identity.
- Scammers often pretend to be from some legitimate organization, the IRS, Customs Enforcement, your credit card company. Never call a number they provide for additional assistance. Instead, call the number on the back of your credit card or find a legitimate number from a reliable source to do your due diligence.
- You can sign up your landline and mobile phone to the Do Not Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov.