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September 2002 Update:
There've been some interesting guerilla-warfare-like anti-telephone
solicitor solution coming across my screen over the last several months
that I want to share with you.
Dan suggests you check out an aptly-named site: www.artofhacking.com
where you'll find a slew of strategies designed to cut those jackasses
off at the knees.
I also urge you to
change your attitude about telemarketers: Their
calls present a unique opportunity to entertain yourself, family members
and friends by making them pay for disturbing your peace!
Spend a few bucks at Radio
Shack and buy a Telephone
Recording Device and plug
into your cassette
recorder. [Save some dough and find
a used recorder at your local pawn shop for less than $10.] Don't
skimp on cheap tape...and you're off to the races. Wiring
your phone to record conversations is a good idea for not only torturing
the telemarketers, but rolling tape on sleazy tele-con men, stalkers and
ex-spouses..or if you're under fire by my pals, the debt collectors.
[Here
comes the disclaimer: Make
sure you're not violating any local laws by recording conversations
without the consent of the other party, or you could get your butt in a
crack...the laws covering your city/state should be listed in the front
of your local phone book. Needless to say that if you're using
these recording for your own entertainment and not for public broadcast
or use in a court of law, you should be okay...but check first.]
If you're looking for some inspiration and role models
when it comes to turning the tables on the telemarketers, here are some
really funny resources that are worth the money:
Jim
Florentine:
You heard Jim on the Benjamin Dover Show on KFI-Los Angeles on November
17, 2002...I found Jim through The
Howard Stern Show. He's a
pretty regular guest, and is funnier than hell. His latest CD: Terrorizing
Telemarketers Volume 3 is hilarious...and
his previous two releases are just as funny and make the perfect gift
for someone as twisted as you and me. Stylistically...Jim's got
that East Coast sound and edge that's a contrast to...
If you're looking for the
perfect holiday or birthday gift for that immature man in your life, I
think both of these guys will make you a hero.
UPDATE as of
December 2001: Technology is on your side!
The feedback I've gotten about a new electronic telephone
buffer called The
Telezapper has all been extremely positive!
The Telezapper
apparently does a great job of detecting
the tones of the telephone dialing equipment/computers that
those jackass telephone solicitors utilize. I'm not even going to
get into the argument over the fact that none of us should have to spend
money out of our pockets to stop these irritating phone calls. I already
agree with you...but that's not the point. My job is to give
you the insight in order to get results [eliminating these phone
calls] that will last (hopefully) forever.
Debt Collectors Harassing You Or
Someone You Care About? Not Any More!!!
 Guess
who else uses this same technology? The
debt collection industry!
That's right: The
Telezapper will not only stop telemarketers in their tracks, but it'll
knock out debt collectors, too. That's the good news. The
(potentially) bad news? When tele-terrorist
debt collectors figure out they can't call through and harass you,
they'll simply go to their Plan B and [potentially] start harassing your
neighbors or relatives when they start the skip-tracing process. But
it's easy enough to remedy: Fire the debt collectors using my Cease
& Desist letter invoking federal law...good in all 50
states. You really might want to be armed before you start firing
out Cease & Desist
letters, though. My #1 best-selling
book, Back Off! shows you how to invoke the law
and protect yourself, and you can order
on-line and get smarter immediately.
 UPDATE as of February 2001: Due to the heavy response
to recent columns I wrote in The Dallas Morning News, I think it's time I equip you with
the necessary firepower to hammer these bastards and get some money damages back for their
abusive solicitation techniques. Try the links below for more information on how to make
these companies pay for breaking the law at your expense!
Make 'em pay! Here's a link to the Direct Marketers Association Complaining
Section. And there's other info in their FAQ section located here.
To get your name/address/phone number removed from "the
system" you'll need to send two letters, one for junk mail and one for junk phone
calls. Contact the Direct Marketing Association Consumer Assistance website, www.the-dma.org/, or write to them directly at (for
mail): DMA Mail Preference Service, PO Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008 and (for phone
lists): DMA Telephone Preference Service, PO Box 9014, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014. Make
sure you let them know that you wish to be removed from all unrequested mail and telephone
solicitation call lists. While you're at it, notify all three of the major credit
reporting bureaus in writing that you do not want them to sell your name to marketers for
the purpose of extending credit or other marketing offers. Fire out your letters today:
Experian-National Consumer Assistance Center
PO Box 2104
Allen, TX 75013-2104
Equifax-Information Service Center
PO Box 105873
Atlanta, GA 30348
TransUnion-Attn: Marketing Opt-Out
PO Box 97328
Jackson, MS 39288-7328
Allow them about 60-90 days to get you out of their
"system." If you need a sample letter, I've got a standard format available for
free on my website at www.benjamindover.com/getmeoffthislist.asp
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