These people have called 3 times in 3 days, when I answered there was no one there. I try to call right back and I get one ring, then a dial tone. Peerless Network sold the calling number 312-878-9798 (and 312-878-9790, 312-878-9701, who have also called me) to a company or group (read: telemarketers, groups, non-profits, etc), in a "block" of numbers, so I know that any with same area code +3 would be same caller, or an affiliate of that caller.
Peerless will claim they have no control over what the company or group does with the number blocks they call from, but if you file a complaint with Peerless it will forward the complaint to the company who purchased the number. Also, I believe that under the Privacy Act, you could get Peerless to give you the contact info of the company in order to file a FTC complaint if the company is annoying you and you are on the DNC list. Peerless is not the only company that sells telemarketing numbers, but seems to be one of the main providers.
Now, after getting a number to use for calling, telemarketers, etc need to get YOUR number. They probably got your number from the DNC registry. By subscribing to the FTC's Do Not Call registry lists (you know, the one you forever registered your number on), exempt organizations (non-profits, political groups, debt collectors, etc) can access the DNC lists, and download the registered numbers (like yours), for "non-telemarketing purposes". They simply have to pay a subscription fee to FTC.
And, telemarketers can also get subscription access to dowload the FTC DNC lists - they simply need to "agree" to use the lists only to "find out" which numbers do not want calls. But I would think that if they "accidentally" call a registered number, and you answer and you either do not file a complaint (no repeated, annoying calling) or you seem interested and do not tell them not to call again, it opens up a can of worms again. Plus, your number could be resold to "shady" telemarketers. Most of these telemarketers love it when you register your number on FTC's DNC - because they can access millions of phone numbers. They won't mind paying the few fines that could result from a handful of complaints, because they make sooo much money from those who actually buy thier product/service.
If the FTC eventually shuts them down for excessive, annoying, unwanted, calling of DNC numbers, its no problem, they just change thier name and do it again (ie, telemarketer ABC, Inc now becomes telemarketer ABC, LLC or just plain ABC, etc.).
In my opinion, registering a number on FTC's DNC list does not work - it makes money for FTC and simply causes you to receive even more unwanted, annoying calls, and virally. DO NOT TAKE MY WORD FOR IT. Go to the FTC's DNC website and READ (check out the "business" section). Also see Peerless Network's website. And pass it on.
I have received several phn calls from this #...when I call it back, i receive a message that all circuits are busy....NOT A TELEPHONE COMPANY RECORDING.
Called and didn't leave a message. Came up on caller id as Illinois call. I did a reverse look up and the number belongs to Peerless Network Of Illinois, Llc.
when I answered, he asked for Beatrice
I replied that he got the wrong number
He asked if i was really telling him the truth
my respond was, really!
and he hung up
These people have called 3 times in 3 days, when I answered there was no one there. I try to call right back and I get one ring, then a dial tone. Peerless Network sold the calling number 312-878-9798 (and 312-878-9790, 312-878-9701, who have also called me) to a company or group (read: telemarketers, groups, non-profits, etc), in a "block" of numbers, so I know that any with same area code +3 would be same caller, or an affiliate of that caller.
Peerless will claim they have no control over what the company or group does with the number blocks they call from, but if you file a complaint with Peerless it will forward the complaint to the company who purchased the number. Also, I believe that under the Privacy Act, you could get Peerless to give you the contact info of the company in order to file a FTC complaint if the company is annoying you and you are on the DNC list. Peerless is not the only company that sells telemarketing numbers, but seems to be one of the main providers.
Now, after getting a number to use for calling, telemarketers, etc need to get YOUR number. They probably got your number from the DNC registry. By subscribing to the FTC's Do Not Call registry lists (you know, the one you forever registered your number on), exempt organizations (non-profits, political groups, debt collectors, etc) can access the DNC lists, and download the registered numbers (like yours), for "non-telemarketing purposes". They simply have to pay a subscription fee to FTC.
And, telemarketers can also get subscription access to dowload the FTC DNC lists - they simply need to "agree" to use the lists only to "find out" which numbers do not want calls. But I would think that if they "accidentally" call a registered number, and you answer and you either do not file a complaint (no repeated, annoying calling) or you seem interested and do not tell them not to call again, it opens up a can of worms again. Plus, your number could be resold to "shady" telemarketers. Most of these telemarketers love it when you register your number on FTC's DNC - because they can access millions of phone numbers. They won't mind paying the few fines that could result from a handful of complaints, because they make sooo much money from those who actually buy thier product/service.
If the FTC eventually shuts them down for excessive, annoying, unwanted, calling of DNC numbers, its no problem, they just change thier name and do it again (ie, telemarketer ABC, Inc now becomes telemarketer ABC, LLC or just plain ABC, etc.).
In my opinion, registering a number on FTC's DNC list does not work - it makes money for FTC and simply causes you to receive even more unwanted, annoying calls, and virally. DO NOT TAKE MY WORD FOR IT. Go to the FTC's DNC website and READ (check out the "business" section). Also see Peerless Network's website. And pass it on.