How can I stop a telemarketer from calling me?

[AmyinPA]

Every morning at 8 am I receive a phone call from the same bank and then they will continue to call periodically throughout the day. I was in the habit of ignoring the number when it appeared on caller ID. But two weeks ago I decided to answer and request that they take me off their call list. Anyway, since that time they have called probably about 5 more times at least. This morning when I answered the connection dropped (probably got another caller on the line faster than me). So I called them back, asked for manager of customer service and requested (again) to be put on their do-not-call list. So, no kidding, within the hour, their telemarketer calls me again! Yikes. Do I have an course of action. I told the gentleman that I feel like I'm being harrassed and I'm going to seek legal council (ha ha).

Seriously, are there any steps short of litigation that I can take? They just won't leave me alone. The funny thing is, it's a bank with whom we've never done business!

[Hillary in KS]

We had a similar problem. Only in our case it was a telemarketer who was calling for this phone number's previous owner. As soon as I started to say "They don't live here" or "Please take me off the list." he would hang up.

After nearly a month of calls and him hanging up before I could finish my senetence, I blew a referee's whistle LOUDLY into the phone. I never heard from him again. :)

In your case, I'd document calling the manager, and send him a certified letter documenting the frequency of their calls, requesting that the calls stop, and that if they don't you will consider this harassment. Give them a couple days, and then the next time a telemarketer calls, use an air horn or a whistle.

[Remudamom]

When we get calls from telemarketers I answer in a goofy accent and speak in broken English, ask them all sorts of non-relevant questions and do my best to drive them nuts. I like to go with Chinese, if you try Spanish they might just speak it.

My dad puts on a great old lady voice and tries to get them to visit with him. He asks if he can take a message, writes down a number and then reads it back to them incorrectly. We love telemarketers around here.

I'd keep asking to talk to a manager and keep complaining.

[Sue G in PA]

What they are doing is harrassment. You have politely said NO, asked not to be called anymore (numerous times). Next step...threaten them w/ harrassment charges. THat should stop them. You can also be put on the National Do Not Call List and tell EVERY telemarketer that calls that you are on the list and please do not call you anymore. Our calls almost stopped after we put our names on that list. We have the problem with the Fraternal Order of Police (1 call every day for a week!). My dh is much more sarcastic/forceful in explaining how BAD it is for business to harrass a customer. Bad press can be very detrimental to a business.

[Cadam]

Technically you can sue them for harassment. I have found talking to a manager and threatening them with legal action does the trick. You can also get on the national no call list but it takes about 30 days to kick in.

[Scarlett]

I've had one doing the same thing to me. It is the kind where they imply they are calling about one of your specific credit card accounts, but they aren't. So I've ignored them several times and then I've pressed one a couple of times and asked to be taken off their list. I think I even called them back once and asked to be taken off their list. Would you believe the last time, I pressed one and told the guy that answered, 'I've asked several times for you people to stop calling my house,' and he said, 'you pressed one so that means you called US--we are calling you.' I could not believe it! I was VERY firm that time and I haven't heard from them ina week or so.

[OnTheBrink]

I'm going to guess that the bank manager has nothing to do with the telemarketing and that it's handled by an outside company. I'd put your number on the DNC list and the next time they call, inform them you're on the DNC list and to cease with the phone calls. If they continue, file a formal complaint.

www.donotcall.gov

[Tracey in TX]

Fight fire with fire: annoy them in return.
1. Sing, serenade caller--works well for someone who doesn't sing well!
2. Whistle (or blow a whistle)
3. Let the kids chat with the caller :)
4. Request name and then speak with manager
5. Read favorite story to caller

Good luck--unsolicited callers are annoying.

[Adrianne]

Hi Amy,

I am not sure what part of PA you are in but my phone company (in PA), D and E communications has what is called Privacy Call.

When someone calls my house, they are given a short message that says something like telemarketing calls will not be accepted. And - here is the key-
you have to press 1 and the # in order for the call the go through. This kind of throws off some accepted calls but I have NEVER received a telemarketing call since I had it put on my phone. I also believe we were put on the national do not call list.

HTH,
Adrianne

[WTMindy]

When we get calls from telemarketers I answer in a goofy accent and speak in broken English, ask them all sorts of non-relevant questions and do my best to drive them nuts. I like to go with Chinese, if you try Spanish they might just speak it.

My dad puts on a great old lady voice and tries to get them to visit with him. He asks if he can take a message, writes down a number and then reads it back to them incorrectly. We love telemarketers around here.

I'd keep asking to talk to a manager and keep complaining.

This sounds just like my dh!! He loves messing with telemarketers. I just tell them to take me off the call list. They always seem to do it when I ask.

[Ferdie]

You just need to say, "Please add me to your Do Not Call List". They will stop talking and won't call back, I promise.

[cin]

I had problems with that several years ago. BEFORE the do not call list. Apparently the company sends their call list to SEVERAL telemarking places, so that's why we were getting called every day, at least 1X, for a week. It happened that they were messing with the wrong broad that week. My dad was in the hospital, VERY sick and every time the phone rang my heart lurched.

On Monday, the next week, I called the company and demanded to speak to someone about their marketing. Flat out telling them if you disconnect me, I WILL call back. I finally got ahold of someone and told them that I would *NEVER* order their product because of the way I've been harassed. IF I receive another call, I will be contacting my lawyer. Of course, I was ranting a little more than this :o BUT....they got the message.

Good Luck,

[Excelsior! Academy]

Say, "Hey, I'll be right back." Then put down the phone and walk off for an hour or two!:)

[Sebastian (a lady)]

I had problems with that several years ago. BEFORE the do not call list.

We used to really give them a hard time. Before the Do Not Call Registry, we would ask to be placed on their do not call list, AND to be sent a copy of their do not call policy (which was a requirement under the old law). We actually filed small claims actions against two companies who would not or could not provide up with their policy.

We ended up losing one in small claims court, because our state had never formally adopted the federal regulations as state law. However, the other company settled for $500. Since their calls (we went back and forth for a couple hours) had been while I was in labor with our oldest, we had a tidy nest egg to start his educational account with. (Oddly, it was a nice distraction to be explaining federal telecommunications law during contractions.)

I try not to be rude to telemarketers, because I remember that my parents did this once when money was tight. But I have little sympathy for companies who ignore the law.