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Handling Unwanted Phone Calls

Telemarketers If you don’t want to talk to a telemarketer (salesperson), just say “no thank you” and hang up. You can contact individual companies one by one and ask them to put you on their “do not call” lists, or you have these other options to prevent unwanted calls: National Do-Not-Call Registry You can register (or revoke) your objection to receiving telephone solicitations by calling 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236) or via the internet at www.donotcall.gov . This is a free service. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) manages the registry and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces it. The registration is good for five years. Telemarketing companies who are selling goods or services are not allowed to call registered customers unless you did business with them within the past 18 months or made an inquiry or submitted an application. However, if a consumer asks a particular company not to call, the company may not call, even if there is an established business relationship. The registry does not limit calls by political organizations, charities or telephone surveyors. Telephone Courtesy and Privacy

Callers should promptly identify themselves and respect your privacy. Here are some general suggestions for uncomfortable situations: 1. If the caller asks for information, do not cooperate until he/she has been identified. 2. Teach your children not to give any information to strangers. 3. Never reveal the fact that you are alone. 4. If you are not home, your children should say “My parents can’t come to the phone right now. May I take a message for them?” Handling Obscene and Crank Calls Federal and state laws make it a crime to make harass ing, obscene, threatening or anonymous phone calls. If you receive such a call, follow these suggestions: 1. Hang up if the caller doesn’t speak the second time you say hello. 2. Hang up at the first obscene word, or if you hear abusive, harassing or threatening talk. 3. If problem calls persist, contact local law enforcement. 4. Report a threatening call to local law enforce ment immediately. 5. If you don’t know the caller, follow the steps on the next page to trap and trace the call .

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