The bad part about "press a number to speak to a representative" is that the company considers that as entering into a business relationship (telemarketing rules then exempt). If you file a complaint, tey will say that you pressed a button to get more information, and initiated a business relationship.
One of the best ways I've found to get them to quit calling is to waste their time (they have to mnake a certain number of calls to keep their jobs). Telemarketers will only do business with the homeowner. Tell them that you live with your mother, etc. and that you were just talking about an alarm the other week (this baits the telemarketer). When they tell you that they need to speak with the homeowner, tell them that you'll get that person, but they are in the bathroom/taking dinner out of the oven/taking clothes out of the dryer and will be there in a minute. Put the phone down and go about your life. I've had telemarketers stay on the line for as long as 21 minutes.
I've heard of some people go as far as scheduling an appointment using a vacant address. When the installer calls back, they tell them that they'll keep making bogus appointments as long as the telemarketer keeps calling. I'm not so sure as to the legality of that (in making an appointment, you HAVE entered into a business relationship). However, I haven't heard of anyone being taken to court over it.
I had a similar experience with a company selling Honeywell alarms. I called corporate and got the brush-off... UNTIL I teold them that I was planning on filing a formal complaint with my state attorney general AND contact the Wall Street Journal... asking them to do an investigative report on Honeywell using illegal telemarketers to sell their products. I knew that the telemarketer wasn't affiliated with Honeywell, but Honeywell didn't want the bad publicity, so their legal department promised to contact the telemarketer who was an authorized dealer for them.
Unfortunately, there really isn't much (if any) licensure for telemarketers (TM). Many (most?) calls originate outside the US and therefore the TM could give a rat's backside about US law.
Unless you can find out exactly who/where the alarm compnay is in the US that has hired the TM (you might try asking who the company is that installs the alarm and who monitors the alarm system), the best thing that you can do is waste their time. See my post at the beginning of the thread for this telemarketer.
The best thing you can do is waste their time. They will 'blacklist' your number and quit calling, since they know that you'll waste their time. (To keep their job, they have to make a certain nmumber of telemarketing calls every day.)
ISI Alarms is currently under investigation by the North Carolina Attorney General from a complaint I have filed with them. They also have multiple complaints with the Better Business Bureau.
When they call, act interested. Ask questions like...
How many motion sensor do you install?
Are there sensors on the doors?
Does the system include a smoke alarm?
Is a panic button available?
HERE'S THE BIG QUESTION... Does a local company install and monitor the alarm? By now, the telemarketer will be comfortable that he/she will make a sale, so they will tell you the name of the company.
IF THE COMPANY IS ISI (http://isialarms.net/contact), go to the NC Attorney General's (NCDOJ) website at:
http://www.ncdoj.gov/getdoc/8a3df65e-7a47-4cd ... laint-Form.aspx
and file a complaint. They will formally investigate it and send you copies of letters that they send ISI.
Folks, this is where numbers count... If EVERYONE will take the time to file a complaint with NCDOJ, it looks like action will happen, based on the aggressive track record of the attorney general.