DO NOT CALL REGISTRY...finally in effect in Canada!

[geezer]

I don't know if this is a problem in other countries or not, but it has been a major annoyance here in Canada. Finally something has been done about it. The long-awaited national Do-Not-Call registry took effect yesterday. Canadians, tired of phone calls from telemarketers, can register. Companies that call after a phone number is registered face hefty fines. Canadians will be able to add their land line, cell or fax numbers on the national do-not-call list online at www.LNNTE-DNCL.gc.ca or by calling 1-866-580-DNCL (3625). For TTY service only (for the hearing impaired), the toll-free number will be 1-888-DNCL-TTY (1-888-362-5889).

Now if we could only eliminate the unwanted junk mail and web spammers.

[Go240Zags]

Ron, We've had it in the U.S. for a year or two. I signed up as soon as I could and signed up my folks too. You still need to be careful here and watch who you do business with because if you have a preexisting relationship they still think they can call you and try to sell you stuff. The phone companies are some of the worst offenders. It is so nice telling people who do offend who you've never done business with that you are on the Do Not Call list, that usually stops repeat offenses. There are still some offenders out there, but it has vastly reduced irritating telemarketers. Gary

[Zak's Z]

Ron,

I tried to sign up yesterday bright and early, but the site was wonky and displayed the 'experiencing technical difficulties' message. But I got on today. There is also another service at www.ioptout.ca that claims to opt you out of services like Rogers and other companies that already have your info.

[Fun_in_my_z]

I get calls at 7 am on Sunday! I have been on the list since it started. Every once in a while i get called on my cell phone. The "Do not call registry" is crap

[MikeW]

How to handle a telemarketer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un_PjRXV5l8&eurl=

[Sailor Bob]

I registrered immediately and yesterday I got a call at suppertime from some f--king cut rate vacation autodialer and it stayed on the line with an automated message. The woman answered it, hung up and picked up a couple of seconds later - still there talking away. A little freaky.

Anyway the buggers have a month of grace befor they get their nuts cut, so I am certain there will be more to come over the next 27 days.

[geezer]

Thanks for that link Zak, every bit helps. Eventually, this has to make a huge difference. I think we have just become accustomed to getting these calls to some extent. I think I'll keep a log over the next month to track the improvement. Hopefully we will be able to opt out of the mass mailing of crap that I take out of my mailbox and deposit directly into my recycle bin too.

That's a good one Mike, it reminds me of the routine I used to have, to try selling these people ficticious life insurance policies when they called, until it got right out of hand. By the way Mike...Happy Birthday!

[MikeW]

I can't remember the last time I got a telemarketer call. I think the do not call list here in the US must have had some effect. It may simply be that telemarketing becomes less attractive with the list, not that the telemarketers actually pay attention to the list. Something that has an even bigger impact, in my view, is "anonymous call block". I don't know if that feature is available with all phone systems but it eliminates getting calls from anyone who's not willing to provide caller ID when they call you.

About the only calls we get are from charities. I don't know if it's because they're exempt or if we've given in the past.

Ah, yes, it is my birthday. I'd actually forgotten about it until late last night when I got an email from my mother ...

[EScanlon]

The DNC registry isn't a "switch" that once thrown STOPS all calls.

Charities and religious groups, from what I understand, are exempted from the DNC restriction. That's why we've seen a huge increase in the number and type of "charitable" organizations calling in.

There are also those groups OUTSIDE the US (and now Canada) who, by not being under US or Canadian law, aren't "exempt" there just isn't any way that you can prosecute them.

Businesses that you have current business with are also exempt up to a point and depending on the purpose. Solicitation calls can sometimes fall under this exemption. You can request to be put on that company's individual DNC register, but again, it's up to the company to abide by it.

If your phone is listed as a business.... forget the DNC registry, it doesn't apply to you as a business. Only residential numbers are DNC eligible.

Registration also has it's problems. For a while there you HAD to call from the number you were placing on the register. This was to avoid "prank" registration calls.

Don't forget that for every "block" that people designate, there is someone out there looking to bypass it. Look at the numerous "array" spam attacks... even after the registration process was beefed up.

The main thing to do is to simply ask the caller to put you on their DNC list. You may still get some unwanted calls, but eventually they'll taper down.

FWIW

E

[Zak's Z]

I don't think for a minute it will stop the calls, but if it helps I'll be happy. The problem with legislation like this is it has no real teeth, and enforcing it will be a problem. You can't stop a PERSON from harassing another person over the phone without court orders to the phone company to obtain phone logs.

Then you actually have to prove it was that person and lay a criminal charge then the whole court process has to happen.

Now to be able to fine a business with some decent technology who calls you a few times is simply not going to happen. You really can't expect whatever governing body to act on one phone call and try to lay a fine on some company over it. There would have to be many many complaints, probably repeat complaints... and then court orders and interviews would have to happen. Then phone records would have to be parsed and linked back to a business. Then they would have to be located if still around.

Most businesses that are hit with by-law type fines just pay it as the cost of doing business and continue on. Im not sure what it means to a company if they are flagged and fined under this legislation, but if its anything that will impede business, I assume they would want a trial/hearing to dispute the fine or reduce the charge/fine.

And like E said, anyone outside the US is exempt, and there are lots of exceptions. ALSO.. anyone using VOIP or IP based technology will be damn near impossible to track as they don't have to register proper address info to obtain the the number and they can conceal and spoof numbers also.

But seriously..I hope Rogers stops calling me every week to sell me a home phone service.

[John Coffey]

Basically useless here in the US for the reasons cited above. I get a call a day from Obama, McCain, the RNC, or the DNC wanting money. That's what I get for registering as an Independent.

Also, there was a report last year that the "do not call registry" here in the US had been hacked and the numbers were being used by entities outside the US to make sales calls.

[zbane]

For me, the Do Not Call Registry has worked, though in all fairness I've used cell service exclusively (no land line) for a couple years and as of this day, there is no cell phone phone book for the telemarketers to get a hold of.(and I hope it stays that way, though I've heard rumors otherwise).

When I did have land line service, it bothered me to no end getting solicitations from charities and political groups. They should also be required to abide by the no call list, in my most humble opinion.

Hopefully, Canadian brethren, your list will help cut the telemarketing down. Just check to see how often you need to "reregister" your number, and how long it takes for the list to be distributed to the marketing agencies. Here (as I recall) there was a 3 month grace period (perhaps the government only compiled/distributed it quarterly?).

Keep a record of when you registered, who calls at what times (get a name and employee number if possible), and fill out the complaint forms immediately.

Here there is/was a $1,000 penalty for every call received after your number goes into effect.

Regarding the junk mail.

Yes, I hate the stuff to. Image the waste we could cut down on without all of it. I spoke with the Postmaster at my local Post office about it, and she said that without the bulk mailers, postal rates would simply skyrocket. I suppose she was right, but I would love to have my name taken off the list (it's most always addressed to david ward or current resident). How "they" (a business I've never dealt with before) got my name and address is what bugs me the most...:mad: