DirecTV Telemarketing Doesn't Learn...

[Ken S]

After being caught and fined a substantial amount several years ago for calling people on the Federal Do Not Call list (http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2006/08/directv.shtm)...DirecTV is doing it again.

Today we got two taped calls from DirecTV informing us that we should reconsider our choice of being on the Do Not Call list and allow them to make sales calls. Guess, what guys that's a sales call. The idiocy of it all is that they actually acknowledge that you have made the request not to receive their calls.

Once again DirecTV proves how little respect they have for their customers.

Hey, some want those calls...that's cool. But to anyone that has requested they not get these calls and had DirecTV ignore their wishes I would suggest filing a complaint with the FTC (https://www.donotcall.gov/Complain/ComplainCheck.aspx). It only takes about a minute...and maybe, just maybe, after the latest set of fines they'll stop this crud.


Here's the FAQ from the FTC in case anyone thinks DirecTV isn't in violation of the law in their lastest scam.

#
My number is on the National Do Not Call Registry. After I bought something from a company, a telemarketer representing that organization called me. Is this a violation?

No. By purchasing something from the company, you established a business relationship with the company. As a result, even if you put your number on the National Do Not Call Registry, that company may call you for up to 18 months after your last purchase or delivery from it, or your last payment to it, unless you ask the company not to call again. In that case, the company must honor your request not to call. If they subsequently call you again, they may be subject to a fine of up to $11,000.

An established business relationship with a company also will be created if you make an inquiry to the company, or submit an application to it. This kind of established business relationship exists for three months after the inquiry or application. During this time, the company can call you.

If you make a specific request to that company not to call you, however, then the company may not call you, even if you have an established business relationship with that company.

[brianct1972]

They just called me with the same pre-recorded message.....I chose option #3, keep me on the Do not call list, and hung up.

[Wildcat]

I wish my biggest problems were phone calls I can hang up on or delete from the answering machine. ;)

[brianct1972]

I normally wouldnt answer a call like that, but I get so few telemarkerting calls, I thought maybe there were going to ask me to be a beta tester for the new HD channels :)

[HarleyD]

If you make a specific request to that company not to call you, however, then the company may not call you, even if you have an established business relationship with that company.

So have you made that separate, specific request directly to D* not to call you?

You acknowledge that you are on the Do Not Call Registry, but that won't be enough for D* because you have a "business" relationship as you yourself pointed out.

So unless you make that separate request, no they are not in violation of the law.

Companies that telemarket get a comprehensive list of Do Not Call registrants from the government. That list will include their own customers who have registered.

So whlie they would know you are on the DNC list, if you have not made an explicit request directly to D* to not call you they can still legally do so. Even for purposes so ironic as to ask you to reconsider being on the do not call list.

[rabit ears]

An interesting aside is that we started receiving a large number of these calls a few months ago. When I checked our do-not-call status, we showed as not being registered. I do remember that I was an early adopter, but I don't remember when the DNC list became active. It doesn't seem like it has been five years, but who knows?

One possible explanation is that we moved to all IP phone communications during the last year and I wonder if the transfer somehow got us pulled off the list.

At any rate it is fun to catch someone violating the rule and report them. Gives one a sense of empowerment, event if fleeting.;)

[Ken S]

So have you made that separate, specific request directly to D* not to call you?

You acknowledge that you are on the Do Not Call Registry, but that won't be enough for D* because you have a "business" relationship as you yourself pointed out.

So unless you make that separate request, no they are not in violation of the law.

Companies that telemarket get a comprehensive list of Do Not Call registrants from the government. That list will include their own customers who have registered.

So whlie they would know you are on the DNC list, if you have not made an explicit request directly to D* to not call you they can still legally do so. Even for purposes so ironic as to ask you to reconsider being on the do not call list.

Yes, I have...and they so much as admit it in their call. You can do so as well on their website. DirecTV's history regarding the Do Not Call list speaks for itself.

[HarleyD]

Then formally complain to the FTC. You've done your part. It wasn't clear in the original post so I thought I'd ask.

[ampman337]

I could be wrong about this but, I believe if you do business with a company they can still call regardless of weather you are on the DNC or not.

[Ken S]

I wish my biggest problems were phone calls I can hang up on or delete from the answering machine. ;)

Did I say it was my biggest problem? Actually, if this goes the way it did the last time that DirecTV decided the Do Not Call laws didn't apply to them...it'll be someone else's big problem.

[Ken S]

I could be wrong about this but, I believe if you do business with a company they can still call regardless of weather you are on the DNC or not.

amp,

Read the FAQ from the FTC's website that I posted :).

[armophob]

Ahh, blessed privacy director. Is there nothing you can't block? I love you.

[LarryFlowers]

As the National Do Not Call Registry was established in 2003, the first registrants are just coming up on expiration. Your registration is good for only 5 years.

You can check the expiration date of your Do Not Call Registration at : https://www.donotcall.gov/confirm/Conf.aspx

You must re-register every 5 years. Just insert your self a reminder in Outlook and set it up to re-occur ever 5 years.:)