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I've been reminded (recently and
first-hand) of just how irritating these clowns can be:
And I think it's even more irritating because it's rarely a live
person bugging you anymore. Instead we're tele-bothered by
pre-recorded telemarketing pitches that really bug the hell
outta me--and my home number is "back in play" thanks to my
recent move and phone number change...my first number change in
over 13 years.
So here I am, back in the sights of these tele-scumbags,
interrupted at the most inopportune moment and scrambling to get
my new numbers registered on the assorted "Do Not Call" lists.
Since I've gotta re-visit the system and how to get all of my
assorted numbers/addresses on the "no call/no junk mail" lists,
it's a good time to update this information and other points you
might have overlooked that are worth hitting on.
Want to reduce the number
of "pre-approved" credit card offers? Here's how:
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
(here's a sample of what to say and what information you'll need
to include) to the following addresses:
Experian Consumer Services
901 West Bond Street
Lincoln, NE 68521
(or do it via phone: 402 458-5247)
Options
Equifax, Inc.
P.O. Box 740123
Atlanta, GA 30374-0123
TransUnion LLC's Name Removal Program
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 here. Be sure you send your
complete name (including any/all name variations), mailing
addresses when you make your privacy move.
Here's why you
might wanna 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...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
for all of the current addresses you'll need to paper it up.
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