Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: About a year ago, you had a question about what to say to telephone solicitors if you don't want to receive their phone calls anymore. Could you repeat the answer, the specific wording of what we should say? Firm action may
ward off frequent
phone solicitorsQ: In the past we've been solicited for donations by the National Federation of the Blind and have given generously. However, we felt we were being called too frequently and at inopportune times. We asked that they not call us anymore. They have continued to call, and in each instance we have repeated our request that they stop. The last time, I asked why they continue to call despite numerous requests that they stop. The response was for me to write to the national office and request that my name be taken off their list. Are there any rules or regulations regarding phone solicitations from charitable organizations? Why should I have to write to the mainland when the calls are coming from their local office?
Answer: We'll address the second question first.
Dave Modansky, project director of the local office, apologized for your experience and said he personally removed your name from the list.
"We didn't mean to offend (you)," he said. "We are not out to keep agitating everybody. ... We are just trying to raise as much as we can because we need the money." However, he said people who want to be taken off the call lists are asked to write to the local office (doesn't have to be the national office) to make sure that's really what they want to do.
He said, however, because the organization "combs the phone book" to create lists (it doesn't buy lists), you may get called again. He said the effort is not just fund raising, but "community outreach" as well. The National Federation of the Blind is the largest organization of the blind in the United States, with over 50,000 members, Modansky said.
The federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act requires telemarketers to maintain and honor "don't call" lists. You are advised to keep a log noting every time you ask to be put on a company's "don't call" list.
It may surprise you to learn, however, that calls by or on behalf of tax-exempt nonprofit organizations are not required to comply with the federal "do not call" requirements. The list requirements also don't apply to marketers calling businesses.
Still, if you feel you are being harassed by any telemarketer, commercial or nonprofit, forward your concerns to the state Office of Consumer Protection, said Stephen Levins, acting executive director. Depending on the circumstances, the state may become involved, he said.
Regarding the first question, there's really no specific way to say you don't want to be called again: Just ask to be put on a "don't call" list.
According to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, a nonprofit consumer information and advocacy program, it works to say: "I never buy anything over the phone. Please take me off your list."
It also advises asking for a copy of a company's written policy for maintaining "do not call" lists.
You should also write to the Direct Marketing Association's Telephone Preference Service (P.O. Box 9014, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014) and ask to have your number added to its "don't call" list. Many major nationwide telemarketers voluntarily participate, although the service doesn't affect automatic or random dialers. Make sure you state your name, address and phone number, including your area code.
A third way to stop unwanted solicitations is to call the "Opt Out" number -- 1-888-567-8688 -- to ask to have your name excluded from lists sold by the major national credit reporting agencies.
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Got a question or complaint?
Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com