Beginning this month be prepared to be annoyed wherever you are if you have a cell phone with a U.S. carrier and number. This month, or so I have been led to believe, cell phone numbers go public and are being released to telemarketing companies.
Unfortunately, it means not only will I get at least three telephone calls every week from “Rachel” of Cardholder Services on my landline — and it doesn’t matter how many times I tell “Rachel” that (a) I don’t meet their criteria, (b) I’m not interested and wish to be removed from their calling list, and (c) that I’m on the Do Not Call list — both New York and federal — she still faithfully calls every week — but “Rachel” will now harass me on my cell phone.
I’ve filed numerous complaints against “Rachel” but they are a shifty (and sleazy) outfit. Their caller ID phone number changes almost weekly.
(The other frequent telemarketing call I get is from a company trying to get me to sign on for their electric service. I’ve pointed out numerous times that I would sure like to take advantage of their exorbitant rates [no I wouldn’t] but I, unfortunately for them, am not within their electric service area.)
And now I’ll get all those sheriff’s union and police benevolent charity solicitation calls everywhere I go. And now the politicians will be able to annoy me everywhere, too. I almost pray that our telephone system gets nuked just to stop the harassing calls.
But I’ve wandered. For whatever good it will do, to put your number on the Do Not Call list, either call 888-382-1222 or go to
Putting your number on the list will mostly block unwanted calls permanently. May the force be with you and not the harassers!
[Postpublication Addition — November 2, 2012]
Interestingly, I learned this morning after publishing the above that the FTC has finally taken steps to terminate “Rachel”. For followup, please see
“Hi, this is Rachel from RoboCaller services calling. Press 1 to be scammed.”
An American Editor 
I’m with you on “Rachel” and “Cardmember Services.” Such sleazes. I can’t even count how many of their calls have started with something like “This is your last chance …” Oh, how I wish it were!
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Comment by Ruth E. Thaler-Carter — November 2, 2012 @ 10:36 am |
I believe this is one of those rumors that has been making the rounds since 2004. See Snopes: http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/cell411.asp but it’s always wise to register your cell phone with the Do Not Call Registry. Once you’ve signed up, it’s good for life. Political calls and charities are exempt from the Do Not Call list. So no matter what you do, short of canceling phone service altogether, you’re stuck with those. 😦
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Comment by Ruth Rainwater — November 2, 2012 @ 11:05 pm |
I share your sentiment. Unsolicited telemarketing calls have always been a problem and I feel like this is one are where NOTHING can be done.
This is why I always report nuisance calls to http://www.callercenter.com every time I get one so people are aware. When they see the phone number, they can either ignore the call if they get one or have their telephone company block the number so that company never gets to call anyway,.
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Comment by yvonnepiercey — November 2, 2012 @ 11:50 pm |
This is FALSE.. current FCC regulations are still in effect that prohibit this from happening. You can put your name on the DNCL if you wish to.
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Comment by Anonymous — November 28, 2012 @ 11:01 am |