Telemarketers have gained a reputation. They have become known for disrupting meals, intimidating people, and disturbing families who want nothing more than to spend time with each other. It is little wonder that consumers take pains to avoid them.

When you ordered your home telephone service, you did so to be able to speak with your friends and family. Telemarketing professionals get in the way by tying up your line. Making matters worse, many of these people are dishonest and try to defraud the people they call.

In this article, we’ll provide a few tips for avoiding telemarketers. Not only will you be able to use your residential landline connection more effectively, but you’ll also gain more control of your time.

Understanding The National Do Not Call Registry

The National DNC Registry was developed by the Federal Trade Commission to help consumers avoid being contacted by telemarketing agents. In effect, it gave people a choice. If they wanted to receive phone solicitations, they could remain off the National DNC list. Otherwise, they could place their name on the list and thereby, require companies, charities, and other organizations to stop calling them. From the moment you place your name on the National DNC Registry, callers have 31 days to stop contacting you by telephone.

As a side note, most states also maintain their own Do Not Call lists. However, the regulations that govern the National DNC Registry are as comprehensive as those that govern the individual states’ DNC lists. Placing your name on the former precludes the need to register for the latter.

Using Your Caller ID

When your home telephone rings, do you rush to pick up the receiver? A growing number of people have realized that screening telemarketers with Caller ID can dramatically reduce the number of disruptions they endure. Many residential phone service providers are now offering free Caller ID to their customers. When a telemarketing agent tries to contact you, you’ll be able to avoid the call based on the originating number. If it is unfamiliar to you, let it go to voicemail.

Block Unwanted Callers

Let’s suppose you have recently added your name to the National DNC Registry. Telemarketers have 31 days from your registration date to stop contacting you. If a persistent agent continues to call, consider blocking the originating number. The agent will be automatically forwarded to a recorded message that explains the block. Your phone will not ring; in fact, you’ll be unaware of the attempted contact.

While being contacted by telemarketers can be mildly annoying, you can regain control of your home landline connection. Place your name on the National DNC Registry and report violations. Use your provider’s Caller ID feature to screen those who are calling. Finally, block the numbers of persistent telemarketing agents. You’ll find that taking those three steps will all but eliminate telemarketing calls.

Often times, if you’re unable to get telemarketers to stop calling, you can ask to speak to their manager and sometimes that will work. Just be prepared to stay on hold for a while.

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Category: Advice
Keywords: telephones, landlines, cramming, phone cramming, phone scams, telemarketers