Articles About Long Distance

Articles About Telemarketers
How Telemarketers Find You
Putting a Stop to Telemarketers and Junkmail

The way that most of these companies find you is through marketing lists purchased from third parties, such as marketing associations. You have either given permission, or in many cases, not told them that they don't have permission, to contact them at any time of the day or night. Frustrating.

They know when to call because, let's face it, most of us are home around dinner time. They know we're home, they know we're eating dinner, and they know the number.

Why do they call? Why are they still in business? In short, it works. They're calling you because they called someone else and were able to make a sale. It must be profitable for these annoying telemarketing firms to call us every evening, otherwise they wouldn't continue the practice. Here's how it works: a telemarketing agent can make about forty calls in one hour at a cost of around $20. If they can get one sale from that activity, then the hour is profitable. That means one interested party and thirty-nine annoyed ones. It may not be good for the company's image, but it's good economics. 

If you want to stop receiving calls from a particular telemarketer federal law allows you to ask that telemarketer to put your name on that company's "do-not-call" list. The Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov) Telemarketing Sales Rule requires the telemarketer to comply with your request. 

If you want to stop receiving telemarketing calls in general, you can contact the Direct Marketing Association (www.the-dma.org) which represents many businesses that engage in telemarketing and other forms of direct sales, and request that your name be removed from lists that their members use. Also, for more information be sure to check out our other article on putting a stop to telemarketers and junkmail.

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It's inevitable. You just put dinner on the table and the phone rings. Should you pick it up? You know if you do it'll be yet another telemarketer trying to get you to change your long distance provider, answer a "quick" nine-minute survey or donate to the Fireman's Ball. But if you don't, it'll most likely be your best friend calling you from out-of-town. You pick it up - and surprise, it's a telemarketer!

How can you get off those telemarketer rolls and mailing lists? It's actually a fairly simple process.

The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) is a non-profit trade association for direct mail and telemarketing companies. As a way to generate industry goodwill among consumers, the DMA has set-up a free do-not-call/do-not-junk-mail-me service. Once you have registered with the DMA, they will send your name and address out to all of their members. Within the next six months the member companies will take your name off their calling and mailing lists.

What do I need to do to register?

It's simple. To be removed from telemarketing lists, just send your name(s), home address, home telephone number and signature in a letter or a postcard to:

To be removed from junk mailing lists, send your name(s), home address, home telephone number and signature in a letter or a postcard to:

While it would be much easier for you to email your name and address to the DMA, to date they only accept letters and postcards.

• Can I send one letter to be taken off both lists?

No. Unfortunately, the DMA requires consumers to send two letters to be taken off of both lists. While it is a small hassle, it is worth the effort!

• By registering with the DMA will I be removed from ALL of the lists out there?

No. While registering with the DMA will reduce the number of calls and mail pieces you receive, it will not eliminate them. You will still receive calls and mail from merchants who are not members of the DMA, religious and charitable organizations and alumni associations. If you receive a call from one of these organizations, you can ask them directly to place you on their "do not call" list.