Scammers are working the Do Not Call Registry to get into your pocketbooks and gain access to your personal information.
These scammers make phony calls claiming to represent the registry.
The National Do Not Call Registry was created to give you a way to limit the telemarketing calls you receive. Once registered, your phone number is off-limits to telemarketers covered by the registry. Those marketers have up to 31 days from the date your telephone number is registered to stop calling.
In the past three months, websites and phone solicitors have been calling with the claim that your registration with the Do Not Call Registry will expire, and you need to re-register in order to avoid pesky calls.
The caller then asks to confirm the consumer’s name or phone number on a national list, and offers to do so — for a special handling charge or fee. There’s the scam.
Registration on the new national “Do Not Call” registry is free. And, remember, the government does not call anyone to put him or her on a “Do Not Call” registry.
The perpetrators are crooks and they don’t obey the law. They’re going to call you as part of the shotgun approach to scamming. They know millions are on the list, which makes for a big target of potential victims.
Here are a few tips from Better Business Bureau to help you protect your money and identity:
Æ Do not provide any personal information to unknown callers, including bank information, Social Security Number and contact information.
Æ If your number is already registered with the Do Not Call Registry, your registration does not expire. You can verify if and when your number was registered by going to DoNotCall.gov.
Æ The Federal Trade Commission does not allow private companies or other third parties to register consumers for the National Do Not Call Registry. Websites or phone solicitations that claim they can or will register a consumer’s name or phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry — especially those that charge a fee — are almost certainly a scam.
Æ FCC regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cellphone numbers. As automated dialers are standard in the industry, most telemarketers are barred from calling consumers on their cellphones without their consent. However, you can still register your cellphone number if you’d like.
Æ File a complaint with The National Do Not Call Registry, or file a complaint at bbb.org.
Record the date and time the calls were made so that you can include that information in your complaint.
To add your number to the Registry call (888) 382-1222 from the phone you wish to register, or go click on ‘Register a Phone Number’ in the left column of donotcall.gov.
Robb Hicken is the Better Business Bureau’s chief storyteller. The BBB is a nonprofit serving Southwest Idaho and eastern Oregon. Reach him at 947-2115 or rhicken@boise.bbb.org.
