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Kokua Line June Watanabe |
Credit group respects
wishes on phone callsQuestion: The Credit Foundation of America has called me numerous times -- a prerecorded message -- to consolidate bills. I called their 800 number and there's an option to request removal of your phone number from their list. I've done this three times, but they keep calling. How can I get completely off their lists?
Answer: Don Gordon, resolution manager for the foundation in Irvine, Calif., said he would make sure that your number was immediately taken off the company's call lists.
"We remove people immediately (who make such requests)," Gordon said. "It's obvious to me that whoever was supposed to take (your number) off the list did not ... We don't want to disturb anyone who is not interested in our service."
The Credit Foundation of America is registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, describing itself as a financial counseling/money management organization.
The state Office of Consumer Protection said it had received complaints from three Hawaii residents about dealings they had with the foundation -- not about telemarketing calls -- and forwarded them to the California Attorney General's Office.
"All three complaints have been answered," Gordon said.
Regarding calls, "We do have an exemption from the FTC (Federal Trade Commission)" to make telemarketing calls, he said.
The FTC's national Do Not Call registry, which was supposed to take effect Oct. 1, allows people to register their telephone numbers to block unwanted telemarketing pitches; however, certain groups are exempted from the registry, including charities and political organizations.
The registry is in limbo after a federal judge in Colorado ruled that the registry violated the First Amendment. The FTC says it expects ultimately to be able to implement the registry.
However, companies are supposed to maintain their own do not call lists under federal and state laws. Although Hawaii does not maintain a do-not-call registry, under Hawaii's telemarketing law, "If a consumer asks the organization or company to be placed on a do-not-call list, (a company) is obligated to maintain a list ... and to honor the consumer's wishes," said Stephen Levins, state consumer protector.
If you feel your rights are being violated, contact the Office of Consumer Protection, at 587-3222. A violator could be penalized $500 to $10,000 per violation.
You also can get information about many companies with office and the Better Business Bureau of Hawaii (536-6956).
Auwe
Regarding the statement by the Hawaiian Humane Society that the court will determine what fines will be given in stray-dog cases (Kokua Line, Sept. 28), we are familiar with the city ordinances covering animals and fowls because our neighbor raises roosters on residential property. According to the section covering penalties, offenders SHALL BE FINED the amounts specified, so the court doesn't appear to have any discretion. If violators (and judges) understood that the fine amounts are mandatory, maybe we would see fewer violations. -- Carol A. Holt
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Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
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Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
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