On Tuesday, December
31, 2013 I wrote a consumer’s alert entitled, SCAM
ALERT! Insurance Race Crimes, which informed my readers of the phone
numbers of insurance scammers, so-called automated debt collectors, harassers, and
just plain old malicious and unwanted callers who repeatedly call.
In addition, since
originally posting that alert, the list of phone numbers has grown. All of these callers are blocked including their
extension numbers. If the calls are from individual persons seeking to harass the
person that they are calling, their landlines and cell phone numbers are
blocked and reported as well.
What I have also
discovered since posting that first alert is that
1.
instead
of using their personal phone, a individual scammer or malicious caller will
try to hide their identity behind their workplace by using the company’s phone,
and
2.
a group of scammers will use business names
that look and sound similar to well known and respected businesses.
My original advice
still stands. You have every right to your
personal privacy that is free from harassers and callers with malicious intent. So protect yourselves. Continue to report and
block these callers.
A special message for
residents of St. Petersburg, Florida, our local police department now has a program called Eagle Eye.
The program’s summary according to the St. Petersburg
Police Department.
“Eagle Eye. is an SPPD initiative to enlist the
help of community members in the fight against crime. Citizen-provided security
camera footage is increasingly becoming an invaluable asset to SPPD, helping
establish leads and identify suspects. By voluntarily registering your contact
information with SPPD through this site, detectives will know how to reach you
if a crime occurs in the vicinity of your property.”
I strongly suggest registering your security cameras in the Eagle Eye program. It may not only help you and your family when
needed but your neighbor
as well.
06/02/2015 Follow-up.
You've probably gotten robocalls about candidates running for office, or charities asking for donations. These robocalls are allowed. But if the recording is a sales message and you haven't given your written permission to get calls from the company on the other end, the call is illegal. In addition to the phone calls being illegal, their pitch most likely is a scam.
Many different companies use the same or very similar recorded messages.
Robocallers fake the caller ID information that you see on your phone. That's called caller ID spoofing — and new technology makes it very easy to do. In some cases, the fraudulent telemarketer may want you to think the call is from your bank, or another entity you've done business with. Sometimes, the telephone number may show up as "unknown" or "123456789." Other times, the number is a real one belonging to someone who has no idea his or her number is being misused.
Robocallers often place the calls through internet technology that hides their location.
Other exceptions include political calls and calls from certain health care providers. For example, pharmacies are permitted to use prerecorded messages to provide prescription refill reminders. Prerecorded messages from banks, telephone carriers and charities also are exempt from these rules if the banks, carriers or charities make the calls themselves.
06/02/2015 Follow-up.
Consumer Information on Robocalls
“If a company doesn't care about obeying the law, you can be sure they're trying to scam you.”
What's a Robocall?
If you answer the phone and hear a recorded message instead of a live person, it's a robocall.
You've probably gotten robocalls about candidates running for office, or charities asking for donations. These robocalls are allowed. But if the recording is a sales message and you haven't given your written permission to get calls from the company on the other end, the call is illegal. In addition to the phone calls being illegal, their pitch most likely is a scam.
What's the Reason for the Spike in Robocalls?
Technology is the answer. Companies are using autodialers that can send out thousands of phone calls every minute for an incredibly low cost. The companies that use this technology don't bother to screen for numbers on the national Do Not Call Registry. If a company doesn't care about obeying the law, you can be sure they're trying to scam you.What's the FTC Doing About Robocalls?
Duing the last few years, the FTC has stopped billions of robocalls that offer everything from fraudulent credit card services and so-called auto warranty protection to home security systems and grant procurement programs. Tracing these calls is a tough job:
Many different companies use the same or very similar recorded messages.
Robocallers fake the caller ID information that you see on your phone. That's called caller ID spoofing — and new technology makes it very easy to do. In some cases, the fraudulent telemarketer may want you to think the call is from your bank, or another entity you've done business with. Sometimes, the telephone number may show up as "unknown" or "123456789." Other times, the number is a real one belonging to someone who has no idea his or her number is being misused.
Robocallers often place the calls through internet technology that hides their location.
What Should You Do If You Get a Robocall?
If you get a robocall:- Hang up the phone. Don't press 1 to speak to a live operator and don't press any other number to get your number off the list. If you respond by pressing any number, it will probably just lead to more robocalls.
- Consider contacting your phone provider and asking them to block the number, and whether they charge for that service. Remember that telemarketers change Caller ID information easily and often, so it might not be worth paying a fee to block a number that will change.
- Report your experience to the FTC online at or by calling 1-888-382-1222.
What Prerecorded Calls Are Allowed?
Some prerecorded messages are permitted — for example, messages that are purely informational. That means you may receive calls to let you know your flight’s been cancelled, reminders about an appointment, or messages about a delayed school opening. But the business doing the calling isn’t allowed to promote the sale of any goods or services. Prerecorded messages from a business that is contacting you to collect a debt also are permitted, but messages offering to sell you services to reduce your debt are barred.
Other exceptions include political calls and calls from certain health care providers. For example, pharmacies are permitted to use prerecorded messages to provide prescription refill reminders. Prerecorded messages from banks, telephone carriers and charities also are exempt from these rules if the banks, carriers or charities make the calls themselves.
Source: The Federal Trade
Commission (FTC)
