Unknown caller from Florida...called it back and got a message saying "you've reached a non-working number." Really? Then how did I just get a call from them?
Received call from 321-973-8947 on June 4,2013 at 2:45 pm eastern standard time. This number came from the Melbourne-Orlando-Palm Bay, Florida, USA exchange. Have both landline and cell on the national "do not call" list. Of course, the "do not call" list was devised by the government, run by a government agency, (the FTC), and is ineffective as many of the government agencies. What has ever happened to the tremendous fines (revenue collection by the government) for those telemarketers who violate the"do not call" list? The FTC will slap the violator on the wrist and say "Naughty, naughty, now go out and play nice". Subsequently, the violator is back violating the "do not call" list within a few days. Civil action by the FTC is totally ineffective. These criminals need to be charged with FEDERAL FELONIES and subjected to significant prison time. All of those involved know that they are violating FTC regulations. The FTC levies huge fines, then rescinds them based on inability to pay. The FTC settles for the minimal cash on hand, and enjoins them from future telemarketing. The criminals sign off, then go right back to business as usual. These same people under different companies have been sued in the past and have only paid a minimal fine. These violators won't remove your number from their robo-call lists. Their calls cost them almost nothing and they make millions of them. When you press a key to talk to them all that is accomplished is to verify that they have a working number.
Despite the best interagency enforcement efforts to combat mass marketing fraud, the FBI remains cognizant of the fact that the only enduring remedy for this crime problem lies in consumer education and fraud prevention programs. Toward this end, the FBI has not only produced its own mass marketing fraud prevention materials, but coordinates on other public information efforts with the DOJ, FTC, and the USPIS, among others. The FBI also supports a consumer fraud prevention website in conjunction with the USPIS which can be located on the web at: stopfraud.gov. Additionally, further information on mass marketing fraud schemes can be found at fbi.gov, ftc.gov, ic3.gov, and stopfraud.gov.
Robocalls are illegal unless you have given them prior permission in writing (not worded into some small print contract from a 3rd party) and are absolutely illegal to a cell phone. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act permits individuals who have received certain unlawful telemarketing, such as junk faxes or telemarketing calls, to sue the violator in state courts where they may be awarded up to $1500 for each violation.
EVERYONE should be reporting them everywhere that they can. It is important for everyone to keep up the pressure on these violators. Often nothing seems to be accomplished and the government sits back and spins claims about what a good job they do because they have few complaints.
What To Do When You Get an Illegal Robocall; ftc.gov
1. Hang Up. Do not press 1 or any other numbers to get off the list and NEVER call them back
2. Consider blocking the number or on a cell phone add it to a contact list and assign NO ring tone
3. Report it at fcc.gov
4. Report it at ftccomplaintassistant.gov
5. People should continually file complaints with their Attorney Generals office
6. Report any criminal activity to the FBI here: tips.fbi.gov
I missed the call, but saw this number 321-973-8947 as a missed call. They did not leave a message or voice mail. From reading the other posts this number is obviously a bogus one.