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You'd Better Read This If You REALLY Want To Understand What Your Rights Are [Or AREN'T] When It Comes To Texas Telemarketers! -plus- Wanna Really Cut Those Unwanted Phone Calls Off At The Knees? -plus- Call That Toll-Free Number On Your Driver's License For A Tow Truck: You'll Pay!!!
January 17, 2002
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Dear Ben: It’s been a few weeks since a bunch of new laws became law, one of which covers the restriction of annoying telemarketers from calling me at home. But I’m hearing that it’s not going to stop all unwanted phone calls; why not?
Chris in Arlington
Dear Chris: The only thing more irritating than getting unwanted telephone calls is recognizing how Texas lawmakers sold us—the consumers—out on this one. Almost 100,000 Texans have signed up either on-line at www.texasnocall.com or via phone: (866) TXNOCALL [896-6225] to have their phone numbers placed on a list that telemarketers are supposed to honor and refrain from calling or face legal action by the Public Utility Commission. So far, so good. But why should private citizens be forced to PAY to be put on a list to avoid these intrusive and unauthorized phone calls??? What’s wrong with this picture? I’m offended at having to pay a fee—however small it may be—to reduce the amount of tele-irritation caused by a bunch of faceless strangers from around the nation. If they want to do business in Texas, they should have to shoulder the entire cost for the creation and maintenance of these “Do Not Call” lists.
Which brings me to the issue of cost: Getting added to these lists isn’t as cheap as they’re trying to represent, either. How many of you have more than one phone line? Aside from the surge in additional phone lines in Texas households over the last decade, many homes also have “specialized ring” service in place, which creates two or more phone numbers for the same line. You’re going to pay a fee for every NUMBER you register on this “Do Not Call” list. And if you want to avoid being pestered by the wave of telemarketers warming up their headsets in anticipation of selling you electricity from alternate providers now that deregulation (and open competition for your electricity dollar) is part of the Texas consumer choice landscape, you’ve got to sign up for a separate Electric No Call list. The regular “Do Not Call” list costs $2.25 for three years but if you want to avoid electricity solicitation calls, it will cost another $2.55 for five years. But wait, there’s more! Get your phone number placed on BOTH lists for FIVE years...for only $4.80!!! Obviously that’s the best (financial) choice but remember: That fee is for each phone number you wish to have listed to be unlisted.
By the way: Getting your number on these “Do Not Call” lists will not stop the flow of unwanted solicitation phone calls! Got a credit card? That means you have a “prior relationship” with that company and can expect to receive calls from all of your credit card companies AND/OR their affiliates. Charities and non-profit groups are also exempt from these “Do Not Call” lists, too. Oh yeah: The bad guys probably won’t care too much about these lists, so expect to receive continued unauthorized phone calls from the scam artists of the world. You can always cut all of these technology-driven telemarketing nuisances off at the knees, but it’ll cost you: www.bendover.com/junkmail.asp
Dose of Dover For The Week: Can we please stop the latest silly e-mail roaming the Internet? “The new Texas driver’s licenses have a number printed on the back just above the bar code: (800) 525-5555. It’s for assistance on the highway; a service truck will be sent to you—state run—paid for with your taxes.” WRONG!!! Call this number and you’re going to pay for the tow truck that shows up; according to the Department of Public Safety website: “If a tow truck is dispatched, the motorist is responsible for any costs incurred. Examples of when a motorist should call the Roadside Assistance Hotline include: stranded with car problems, hazardous road conditions, debris in the roadway, suspicious activity at a rest area, and obviously intoxicated or dangerous drivers. The Roadside Assistance Hotline is not intended to replace 911 as an emergency number; 911 should still be the first option for emergency situations.” Can we add “don’t be gullible” to your list of New Year’s resolutions, since it’s still January? One more time and altogether now: If it sounds too good to be true.....
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