My last call from this number was back in June. They called me again yesterday at 4:01 pm. I was at work, and they left no message. Caller ID said "out of area". I will be reporting them to the FCC and FTC and including some of the information other posters found out about these low-lifes.
I think what we all need to do is book the appointments when these scumbags call us
tell them to come out and then confront the guys with a video camera and ask them why they work for a company that violates the do not call list, ask questions and maybe even follow them back tot eh shop they work from to see where they are.
that is my plan then we post the videos on youtube. maybe if we all fight back we can stop this type of behavior as pressing 8 to get your number removed doesn't work
I get more calls from "out of area"/odd area codes than I get from people I know. I am starting to think the phone company puts these people here to cause me to pay added fees to block them, if it's possible. I would think it would be easy to block telemarketers, but for some reason it isn't, or it is expensive. I even looked on amazon.com for zappers and all the good ones are no longer available for purchase, Why? And so the annoyances continue...
Agree with William. You can also call your phone company and have them block the telemarketers number that was used to call you (a minor victory for that particular number).
These telemarketers are hired by local contractors to sell services. If you care to, go ahead and find out who the local service is by getting an appointment with them to find out who they are, then turn the local service company into the FCC's do not call list. I did this with a local carpet cleaner who had contracted with a telemarketer like this and, once I found out who it was, he begged me not to turn HIM in for using the telemarketer service. He claimed he had no control over who the telemarketing agency called (and that is probably true), and he would let them know to remove my name. Too late in this instance though as I reported him. Have never heard from that company again...
Until there is more transparency placed on telemarketers with the phone companies (no private numbers or spoof calling systems), this will not stop. BUT, if you remain polite to the local people who call to set up the appointment, you will ultimately find out who they are.
Remember, do not ask them upfront who they are or where they are located as they are trained to just hang up. Get the appointment first, then ask the name of the company who will be servicing your home, and a return phone number in case you have to cancel for any reason (since you are a Dr and never know when you will be paged, etc). Once you have that, then you can go into action, file the complaint with the Do Not Call list first, then call the local service provider and advise the owner that you just reported them and the telemarketing number that first called you. The average owner will freak...trust me.
If enough people take the time to do this (it is a pain, I know), many local services will stop using them if they are fined $10k for every phone call made from a DNC list. These telemarketing companies are generally run by greedy, unethical, spineless vermin who care only about money and nothing else. My brother has worked for companies like this, and they actually laugh about how annoyed people get, because they have no soul. Bummer for us, but get them where it hits them most...in the pocket book.