Do not call list scam

[Presentation]

In my opinion, the do not call list should give us the option to include no calls from Professional (for profit) fund raising companies.

We are about the last people that we know of that still have a home phone line. My wife just wants one until the kids are older in case of emergency.

We are on the state and national do not call list.

The issue is for profit companies that work with charities can call the number.

I just had one of these calls. They said it was for then "women to women breast cancer foundation."

I asked what % of the money donated goes to the charity. The girl on the phone said she was not authorized to answer but she can connect me to a manager that can answer this question. I said, sure, please do so.

I got put thru to a manager, then re-asked the question.

Rather than answering my question she hung up on me.

I have had multiple fund raising calls from various professional fund raising companies and this is the pattern, not an accident.

My guess is the % that goes to the cause is small. Possibly half or less but I do not know for sure.

After church our biggest donation goes to a local St Vincent de Paul food pantry. We are told 90% goes to the charity. After this comes Goodwill, cash and used cloths.

 

[tdschafer]

Presentation,
I totally agree! When I first went on the lists I got a call from a charity company as you describe. I explained that I was on the do not call list and that this call had just woke up my sleeping baby. This was true as the call was at about 9:20 PM. The dude stated that he did not have to comply with the list as he wasn't "selling" anything. He then proceeded to ask for a donation, AGAIN!! I replied " I just told you I don't want to be bothered and your bothering me and telling me you don't have to respect my request? Then you ask me to give you money for nothing?" His reply was that he wasn't bothering me!! :smt013
At that point I hung up and attended to my crying baby! These clowns should have to abide by the same rules as the solocitors. I now screen ALL of my calls. I think this is truly an invasion of ones privacy!
Like yourself, I also donate to select charities that I research before handing over my dough. Unfortunately I believe that these same charities have sold my phone number to these other menaces! I guess no good deed goes unpunished, huh?

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

We are on both do not call lists and have to re-register every couple of years. We do not answer any call that are not ID'd. Don't see your name on my caller ID, I don't answer. simple... effective... Once in a while we will get a not for profit call and they have caller ID. I'll listen then ask them to remove me from their calling list (which they must comply with)...

I too look for max % to the charity before I will help the charity.

This site can help you find the one of your choice...

http://www.charitychoices.com/checkout.asp

Surprising to see some are as much as 53% administrative costs... Some are zero or near zero...

 

[wish2fish]

The latest scam that I've had to deal with is that several local real estate mortgage companies call saying they are conducting a survey of the local intrest rates and then proceed to tell you how much they can save you by refinancing. BASTAGES!!

I've had several call telling me they can reduce my credit card rate. they don't work for my card companies because they can't tell me what cards I have.

 

[Gunn]

We are about the last people that we know of that still have a home phone line. My wife just wants one until the kids are older in case of emergency.

Getting rid of our landline was the best thing we ever did, as far as removing these spam phone calls. Not sure I follow the emergency situation though...my wife and I both have a cell phone, always within reach and everyone knows them, same as our old land line. Not any harder to get in touch with us (easier!).

 

[tdschafer]

Those dirty little texting hoe's!!! I hate getting a sales call on my cell. They get both barrels when that happens!

 

[Presentation]

Getting rid of our landline was the best thing we ever did, as far as removing these spam phone calls. Not sure I follow the emergency situation though...my wife and I both have a cell phone, always within reach and everyone knows them, same as our old land line. Not any harder to get in touch with us (easier!).

Other way around.

She wants our kids, if at home alone (14/10/7 years old) to be able to call 911 or us from a land phone that is not dependent on batteries, etc.

Also, calling 911 gives them (the 911 people) our address immediately.

I also use this line for faxing, not that I fax much anymore.

 

[MLauman]

I agree with this and would add political calls as well - including those disguised as 'polls'.

 

[jason78]

We are on both do not call lists and have to re-register every couple of years.

Supposedly, you no longer have to re-register.



Do Not Call Registrations Permanent and Fees Telemarketers Pay to Access Registry Set

Telephone numbers placed on the National Do Not Call Registry will remain on it permanently due to the Do-Not-Call Improvement Act of 2007, which became law in February 2008. More than 157 million phone numbers are on the National Do Not Call Registry.

Under the Act, the Federal Trade Commission will continue to remove telephone numbers that have been disconnected and reassigned to other customers. Consumers can delete their telephone numbers from the registry at any time by calling 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236) – the call must be made from the telephone number they wish to delete.

The Do-Not-Call Fee Extension Act of 2007 also was enacted, setting the annual fees telemarketers will pay to access the registry in fiscal year 2009 at $54 for each area code of data accessed or $14,850 for access to every area code in the registry, whichever is less. Telemarketers may access the first 5 area codes of data at no charge, and certain exempt organizations will continue to access all data at no charge. For each fiscal year beginning after fiscal year 2009, the fees will be increased at the rate of change of the consumer price index, unless the change is less than 1 percent, in which case the fees will not be adjusted.

http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/04/dncfyi.shtm