Robocalls banned by the FTC
Most robocalls will become a thing of the past, the Federal Trade Commission has announced.
Starting September 1, consumers should experience far fewer telephonic interruptions of the automated variety. Companies will need written permission to call you this way or face a $16,000 fine per call.
But not every call will be nixed under the plan --- you'll still get calls from people not trying to buy or sell things (politicians). Debt collectors and companies trying to provide you important information (such as a change in your flight time) will be cleared to ring you automated-ly as well.
Although companies will not be able to call you just because they have done business with you in the past, this seems like a good opportunity to remind everyone to ...
... read your "terms of service" agreements carefully to make sure they don't include any authorization to permit automated calls if you don't want them.
And, you still might get calls from live operators, unless you put your digits on the National Do Not Call Registry.
To file a complaint with the FTC about an automated call, check out the commission's online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).
(photo: Alexkerhead/Flickr)
Categories: Cellular/Landline/Voice over Internet
Comments
whew....for a minute i thought i was going to miss out on those great political robo calls.
Posted by: ryan evans | August 28, 2009 10:48 AM
Thank Jeebus. Maybe now my mother can turn off the answering machine FOR ONCE GOD MOM ANSWER THE PHONE WHEN I CALL YOU!!!!!
hahaha! Did she ever consider Caller ID? --- lfk.
Posted by: Evan | August 28, 2009 12:41 PM
Does the ban include texted ads? I continue to receive texts from some mortgage company about refinancing and I don't even have a mortgage!!!
Posted by: Evelyn Orsini | August 30, 2009 3:30 PM