Four times a year, any
business – whether located inside or outside of Wisconsin –
soliciting residents by telephone, must pay for a copy of the list,
and then delete the residents’ names from its own calling list. The
No Call law also prohibits businesses from intentionally blocking a
telephone’s caller ID feature. Violators face a $100 fine per call.
“The No Call List will reduce,
but not completely eliminate, unwanted phone calls,” added Chalmers.
“Unsolicited calls from charities, poll and survey takers, or on
behalf of political campaigns are examples of exemptions.”
Ø
Consumers who
do not sign-up for Wisconsin’s No Call List are protected by
additional
telemarketing laws.
·
Telemarketers
can only call between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
·
They must
indicate their intent of selling you something and explain who they
are.
·
Before paying
for any products or services, they must provide you with the total
cost.
·
You have
the right to ask a company to stop calling you. Tell the
telemarketer to put you on the company’s “Do Not Call List”. Federal
law requires
companies to keep such lists.
Ø
Consumers can
also take additional steps to stop unwanted phone calls.
·
Screen your
telephone calls.
·
Get an unlisted
telephone number.
·
Remove your name
from telephone books/directories.
·
Take your name
off credit bureau marketing lists by calling 1-888-5OPT-OUT.
·
Do not print
your telephone number on personal checks.
·
Do not give out
your telephone number when signing up for contests, sweepstakes,
or drawings.
“While most telephone sales
pitches are made on behalf of legitimate organizations – others are
scams,” Chalmers said. “Consumers lose several billion dollars a
year to telemarketing fraud.”
Ø
Consumers
should take steps to avoid becoming a victim of telemarketing fraud.
·
Say no to
high-pressure sales tactics.
·
Ask for written
information about the product, service, investment opportunity, or
charity being pitched.
·
Hang up if you
are asked to pay for a prize. Free is free.
