I don’t normally do this type of writing, however found it pertinent as I’m being directed into journalism class. My major is an Associate of Arts, and my need grows to educate others for their betterment. With that said, there are surely many calls that come through that are unwanted by many, am I correct? Well, I use to be a marketing fanatic in my past life and feel destined to educate you on what these folks can do and what they cannot do. Much of the time, it is illegal activity through and through. This includes bill collectors- as I did a bankruptcy last year and learned the hard way on this type of harassment; includes also advertising to your private residence; and finally for those darn political calls (I like to let my voice to be heard but realize many of you do not like these either.
Firstly, we will start out with the bill collectors as I realize the likeliness of most being in debt within the states is tipping over more and more by the day. These types of calls once forced a thrifty woman from one-hundred-twenty pounds weight, down to eighy-six pounds of weight as whenever I went to bite into a sandwitch they would surely be the ones to call. After that call took place I was no longer hungry and lost my apetite no matter what the gourmet dish provided. I decided to cry feeling the sense of helplessness. Surely there are many of you who cannot eat due to stress. However, even in debt man or woman alike must eat. This is what you can say legally to them, forcing them to take you off the list even if you owe them an amount of funds: “I’m requesting that the only way I will respond from this day forward is through the postal mail. If you are in fact who you say you are, then you have all of my information there in front of you, and can take me off your list and place your communications through the mailing system given to us by USPS.” If they disagree, or do not have your information, do not provide it to them! It is your right to have peace while you try to relax from your day at work, no matter who you are or how much they claim that you owe. If they refuse to do so, get their information (first and last name if they will provide it), their business name (again, they may not provide that either but that’s why we have reverse phone look ups- which may possibly be how they got your information in the first place), get the state they are calling out of and city (again, skip tracing could come in handy with cases like these), and finally let them know that if they do not send your written communication that they understand they are not to contact you through means of the telephone any longer in the time frame of 30 days starting the next day, you will take them to small claims court and sue them for their harassment (yes, it only costs $50 for most small claims courts and much of the time, they will settle with you without having to go to the media). I hope this helps those of you who are in debt.
Secondly, we will talk about those who advertise, whether it involves finances or not. Again, ask for their name, company name, (this is a game, so sound interested at first to make sure you get the information, phone number, and company name you will need to fuel your ammunition to be used later on if need be). Then tell them this: “Mr. Smith, I would like for you to take my name off of your list, and am demanding you send me a copy of my information on this ‘do not call list’ in the next thirty days. If you do not send me said requested list within the thirty days, and continue to contact me I will take this to small claims court.” What’s the scoop? So, when you are receiving call after call of advertising, they have to have your information… right? Well then they also have access to skip tracing, and they also have access to a do not call list as required by federal law! Therefore, they have within 72 hours to take your name off of the list as required also by federal law, and they also have access to the mailing system if they are who they say they are. These are things most employers who employ tellemarketors don’t take seriously, but I’ve witnessed many a time where the company even had to find another name of business it got that bad. They aren’t allowed to call you at all upon this request after the 72 hours, and if they don’t provide you your mail you requested in the timely 30 days, you have every right to sue them too. Please also take into account what your state and local laws are for telemarketing in your area. If they don’t oblidge to this, they will have lost more than just your business, but they will also have steep penalties and fees set forth. In my state they have to say to me, “this call is being monitored and recorded for quality and training purposes,” (or something very close to that verbage as required by local and federal law. This will make them leave you alone if they are smart, if not, then once again you take your $50 and file with small claims court.
Lastly, we will discuss our lovely politicians as they surely have to obide by the law right? Much of the time, the same script can be used for them, or they usually have a number to forward to you to ensure you are removed from said list.
Lets face it, we blog on here and our information isn’t always safe. Someone got a hold of me from in my area asking me if I wanted to be roommates thousands of miles from where we reside. I don’t know how someone got a hold of my informaiton from a college from New York as I do live in Colorado, however, the gentleman claimed he couldn’t give me the information he received my own information on. I will be skip tracing myself, however, doubtful on finding anything. Always document your phone calls, as if you do not document them then you will have to get a lawyer involved. Then they will take 30% off the top of your claim. I’m not trying to be greedy, but am here to educate you on what they can and cannot get away with.
I wrote this all down, as most of the students in my college have heard me act out whenever these calls happen when we are studying. They requested me to provide them a script, and inspired me to write this on my blog to make sure that everyone has a peace of mind and can concentrate on the importance of life. Much of the time, the people on the other side of the phone are not as educated as yourself as they: 1) don’t have a blog 2) are not aware of the local, state, and federal laws 3) are providing harassment unknowingly, but you can let them know how they are affecting you (and are violating your rights), and your life by conducting the recital of the above information and use it to your benefit. I hope that this will help you, and if you are from another country trying to contact others in the states, now you know how to cover yourself and your employer.
With all said, I hope everyone has a happy and peaceful day! I felt the need to write this as I had three calls from New York back to back, and have a feeling one of these scam artists I got my money back from (who falsely promoted themselves and their bottom line I debunked some time back; lets just say their money back garantee wasn’t there until my spouse and myself got hotheaded and told them what codes and laws they were violating… sore loosers at best) they probably had decided to do something truly stupid and sell my information as I wasn’t worth something to them. I know that most bloggers will have someone hack into their personal information at some point in their lives, however, fuel yourself with knowledge rather than feelings of hopelesness, and it will surely provide you peace or funds at the finish line for sure!
As artists, we tend to dislike destractions- so use them to your advantage, and use them when need be. I’m giving you full permission on how to make money online or offline garanteed at the expense of harassing and sometimes menacing phone calls. I hope you wore your armer, and that you have a very blessed day I have to run to school now as I need my Summer schedule! Love you readers, ME! Muah!
coloradobloggirl's Blog 