Kokua Line

By June Watanabe

Wednesday, April 9, 1997

There are ways to stop
bothersome sales calls

Is there anyway to get rid of telephone solicitors? I get eight to 10 calls a week from organizations holding fund-raisers or companies trying to sell something. Today, I got a call from someone having a seminar on how to save money. I am out of patience.

The Federal Trade Commission has rules to protect you from such nuisance solicitations. The pertinent ones in your case are: 1. It is illegal for a telemarketer to call if you have asked not to be called and, 2. Calling times are restricted to 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

"If you don't want the seller to call you back, say so. If they call back, hang up. They're breaking the law," the FTC says.

The company is supposed to keep a list of such requests. Keep a record also for your files.

If you continue to be bothered, file a written complaint with the FTC, stating the problem, with any documentation; the company; and giving your full name, address and telephone number, including area code. Mail to: Correspondence Branch, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C., 20580.

The Direct Marketing Association, a private trade group, also offers a free Telephone Preference Service, equivalent to its service to stop the flow of junk mail. Write to: Telephone Preference Service, P.O. Box 9014, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014.