Until I started to work from a home office, I had no idea that modern technological advances such as cell phone, computers, e-mail, and social networks come with problems as well as advantages. Computers malfunction, crash, get viruses. Both cell phones and landline phones receiveunwanted calls and text messages.
The scenario goes something like this: I am right in the middle of a sentence when my cell phone rings. By the time I reach it, there have been three rings. I pick it up and identify myself. Nothing. Then I foolishly raise my voice and say, Hello? No response. I decide to offer one more greeting and I hear a click followed by a perky voice offering to solve all my debt problems, or check my chimney for buildup of dangerous, fire-inducing materials, or sell me new windows, or find me cheaper car insurance. I cannot tell this person I dont want this product. The perky little voice is part of a computer-generated telemarketing service. If I dont pick up theres a good chance the computer will dial my number again and I will once again receive an unwanted call from the perky little computerized voice offering me whateverunwanted productthey are selling that day.
Why not use the Do not call registry?you ask. In spite of this registry there is an endless variety of sales, services, requests for donations, surveys, free gifts, political candidate promotions and free home demonstrations that are being offered to the cell phone owner through these unwanted calls.
Worse yet, are the unwanted calls which are harassing, intimidating and downright scary. You have some recourse against these. When spammers, solicitors, pranksters, and others misuse cell phones they are causing you to be charged for the call. The FCC Advisory Board says these abusers of air time can be sued. If theyare a not-for-profit group or someone with whom you have an agreement, they cannot be touched, however.
You also have other options. You can block unwanted calls and texts and that will dissuade unwanted callers from trying again.
As well, thanks to modern technology which brought us these unwanted calls, you can put call block on your cell phone. Or you can use call trap. Ways of doing this vary with the service provider of your cell phone. Check with your landline and cell phone providers to investigate options for eliminating unwanted calls.
For a fee, you can block and/or report
unwanted calls. You can use the do not call registry to stop all but non-profit agencies from calling. This is a service of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
