called the number and got a recording saying the company was Merritt's Research a market research co and not subject to the do not call laws. Gave me the # for an automated system to get on the company's DNC list: 800-864-8601. They called me again the same day about ab hour after I out my number in to be put on their DNC list. Anyone who finds a number that gets you to a real live person, please post so we can call and give them a dose of their own medicine.
I received a call around 8:40 p.m. from this number 443-205-1070. Young sounding woman identified herself as Danielle Sperling and asked for me by my name. Said they were doing a customer service survey for Bank of America to help the bank do a better service. Was very polite and offered to call back at another time if this time was not convenient. I questioned that a Bank would be calling so late. I asked where she was located, she replied Canada. On further questioning she said they represented Merritt Research, would be asking me a number of questions and our conversation might be recorded. I allowed her to go a little farther and ask her first question which was "Are you over 18 years of age?". I did not answer that and then told her I knew she was a scam and I would be calling the police as soon as I hung up and I would suggest she stop this activity before she gets arrested.
Wow - all wrong - let me update you - In the case of the calls that you are talking about - IT IS NOT A SCAM - Maritz is a market research company following all the laws that govern doing outbound market research. If you want to know more about the company go to www.maritzresearch.com.
The calls you are talking about are legal, that is why they put that message on that phone number that is displayed - because we are not hiding what we do and we don't want to cause you distress, thus the reason they are offering to put your name on a DNC list - even though it is not required to do so by law. When someone is added to our DNC list it takes at least a week to ensure that the number is removed from our system - if you add a number to a federal or state do not call they say that you have to wait 30 days - so we are pretty quick. Do not expect DNC to take place immediately - it won't happen no matter what company you add your name, number or email address to.
I would strongly recommend that you review what the FTC has outlined as the laws surrounding the Do Not Call list at a Federal or State level in regards to Market research before you start talking about the law, if you had, you would find that all that those lists govern is unsolicited telemarketing calls - which means that the only calls that are stopped by a DNC list are companies that are selling things to you that you have not done business with in the last 18 months. Telemarketing firms are required to download these lists, at a cost to them, and update their lists monthly.
It is very common for companies to give us first and last names of their customers that we are asked to contact on behalf of the company - we are NOT given ANY access to your account, in fact if someone tries to mention that information our interviewers will ask you to stop. We don't know how old you are, we don't know how long you've had your account, we don't know how much money is in your account or anything - heck, our callers are not even provided with the phone number that we calling to tell you the truth - they only have a name to ask for the right person.
So next time before you freak out realize that these people are worrying about getting by just the same as you, they are hoping for the best and just looking for a way to make some money to feed their families too - take some time to research what you are talking about before you post - you obviously spend time on the internet, do some research - you'll see it is all correct.