Preventing Annoying Telemarketing Calls

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Preventing Annoying Telemarketing Calls (NAPSA)—While some recorded messages like flight delays or school closings are welcome, others are not. Robocalls, or unsolicited prerecorded calls and SPAM text messages from busi- x BLOCK ROBOCALLS nesses or organizations, aren’t only annoying, but illegal under federal law if sent to your mobile device without your consent. Some calls may ask you to press a number to be removed. Legitimate companies will adhere to your request; however, some dishonest organizations will call you even more. Fortunately, wireless companies are working on easy ways, many times for free, to help you avoid robocalls. What You Can Do You play an integral role in stopping robocalls. If you get an automated call or text you didn’t sign up for to your cellphone, report it to the proper organizations and/or authorities. Here’s how: Forward the SPAM text messages which are sent from a phone number to 7726 (or SPAM). This free text exchange with the carrier will report the SPAM number and you will get a response from the carrier thanking you for reporting the SPAM. *File a complaint for texts and/or voice calls with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or Federal Communications Commission (FCC) via their websites, ftc.gov andfec.gov, or by calling the FTC at (888) 382-1222 or the FCC at (888) CALL-FCC. By providing this information, you help stop these robocalls. The FTC and FCC have brought more than a hundred lawsuits against over 600 companies and individu- @ Attention humans: You can stop annoying calls and texts from robots. als responsible for billions of illegal robocalls and other “Do Not Call”violations. No More Robocalls You may also add your wireless devices and landline numbers to the national “Do Not Call” registry, which would prohibit telemarketers from calling these registered numbers. It’s at DoNotCall gov. Wireless companies have developed a numberof tools and features that help consumers block robocalls. Apps for the Android, BlackBerry, iOS and Windows operating systems are available that block unwanted calls and offer step-by-step instructions on how to block individual numbers. There are other steps you can take, such as putting a “special information tone” that signals a nonworking number at the beginning of your voice mail or answering machine message. Learn More You can view step-by-step video instructions as well as lists of apps to further protect yourself from unwanted robocalls from CTIA-The Wireless Association at http:// ctia.it/1LK6gmf.