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Kokua Line
June Watanabe
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File complaint to stop unwanted cell phone calls
Question: I purchased a cell phone from Cingular and have been getting a daily phone call at 3:05 p.m. When I got the initial call, I noticed that it was from 720-974-0386. I do not know who could be calling me long distance and didn't recognize the number, so I picked up the call only to find that it was a recorded message saying that this was a very important phone call and that I needed to call for more information. There was no human to talk to. Cingular said it can't block those calls. How can I block such calls?
Answer: The Federal Communications Commission prohibits companies from using automatic dialing machines or prerecorded voice messages to call pagers or cell phone numbers, emergency phone lines, patient rooms in hospitals, nursing homes or similar facilities, or any number that will result in a phone charge.
If you can identify the caller, with enough basic information on which to take action, you can file a complaint with the state Office of Consumer Protection, said Executive Director Stephen Levins.
Call 587-3222.
The complaint would then be forwarded to either the Federal Trade Commission or the Federal Communications Commission, which has the authority to initiate enforcement action, he said.
We did an Internet search and found other people complaining about getting calls from that number, which was identified as being that of a collection agency called TrueLogic Financial Corp.
We called the number but could not get past a recorded message. Since that number is not toll-free, you might first try to contact TrueLogic via e-mail.
One person said he was able to get the company to stop calling him by sending an e-mail to info@truelogicfinancial.com. We e-mailed the company but did not get a response.
Meanwhile, if you are already being assailed by telemarketing calls, you should register your cell phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. Doing so will stop most such unsolicited calls.
Call toll-free 888-382-1222 from the number you want to register, or register online at www.donotcall.gov.
Auwe
I rode bus No. 53 to Ala Moana on July 30. Why is the last stop at the side of the old Cutter Chevrolet near Kona Street? As soon as we alighted from the bus and walked toward Ala Moana Center, this same bus was driving toward us. Bring back the old last stop on Kona Street so we won't be fighting our way across the street. -- Michael Nomura
Mahalo
To Honolulu police officer Kennison "Bud" Lee. On Friday, Aug. 4, I was at Ala Moana Park when I accidentally locked everything -- my purse, my cane, my keys -- in my car. I was frantically trying to figure out what to do when Officer Lee drove by and saw my dilemma. He went out of his way to help me. Mahalo also to the Toyota Motors staff on South Street who made me a new key. -- Grateful in Manoa
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. E-mail to
kokualine@starbulletin.com.
See also: Useful phone numbers