OK so here is the bottom line -- ain't no one gonna do nuthin about these people .... Do not call list doesnt do anything. I talked with the FTC who took the complaint but cant do anything except tell me to report the harassment to my local phone carrier (who can't do anything) and call the police (who say it is not within their jurisdiction.)
This is the official response from the State of Washington Attorney General .... <heavy sigh>
Rob McKenna
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF WASHINGTON
Consumer Protection Division
800 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2000 Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 464-6686
August 31, 2012
(MY ADDRESS)
RE: Pacific Telecom Communications Group
File #: (REMOVED)
Dear (Name Removed):
Our office has received your complaint regarding the phone calls you have been receiving. We understand how annoying and frustrating it is to receive unwanted telephone calls.
Unfortunately, unscrupulous telemarketers use a variety of methods to conceal their true identity and location in order to avoid detection. Sometimes, telemarketers obtain telephone numbers that are assigned to certain area codes and assign those numbers to telephone equipment that is not located in that area code. Another method telemarketers use to avoid detection is “caller I.D. spoofing,” which means a telemarketer uses a false caller-identification number so that the phone number appearing on your caller I.D. is not the actual phone number of the telephone equipment placing the call.
We have determined that the telephone number you reported as the source of the calls is owned by Pacific Telecom Communications Group, which is located in Los Angeles, California. Pacific Telecom provides telephone numbers, many of which have 206 area codes, to subscribers. However, many of the subscribers who obtain the 206 telephone numbers from Pacific Telecom are not located in Washington state and could be located anywhere. Under these circumstances, there is very little this office can do to locate the physical presence of the party who is making the calls. However, you should report these calls to the Federal Trade Commission by filing a complaint online at: https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx.
If you would like to learn more about caller I.D. spoofing, you can find additional information on the Federal Communication Commission’s website: http://www.fcc.gov/guides/caller-id-and-spoofing.
Thank you for contacting our office. Your correspondence will become a part of the public record.
WALLI GARRETT-LINDSEY
Office Assistant 3
Consumer Protection Division
(206) 389-3834
Fax: (206) 389-2801
[email protected]