A ringing phone can promise a pleasant conversation with friends or family. When plagued by persistant telemarketers, it can become a threat.
For Mary Bucacink of Clarkston, phone problems started about two months ago. For her, a nuisance telemarketer wasn’t even calling the right house.
‘They keep asking for ‘Juan? or ‘Juanita,?? Bucacink said. ‘I tell them, ‘there’s no person by that name at my house. There never has been, and please don’t call again.??
Despite promises to fix the problem, someone soon calls again, two or three times a week. Lately, callers have become more rude, she said.
Calls to AT&T resulted in advice to change her phone number or appeal to the Federal Trade Commission.
‘They can’t do anything unless the caller says something obscene,? she said. ‘It’s so aggravating.?
The first thing Bucacink or anyone else in her situation should do is register with the FTC’s Do Not Call list, said Mitch Catz, FTC public affairs specialist.
This can be done by calling 888-382-1222 from the phone to be registered or visit www.donotcall.gov.
‘In about a month, you should receive fewer calls,? Catz said. ‘It’s been very effective ? 149 million numbers are on there.?
Also, tell the company to put you on their specific do-not-call list, which would put it on record, Catz said.
‘If they call again, then it would be a violation and you can report it,? he said.
Recording the phone conversations is not necessary, he said.
‘Write down the date, phone number and who they are and file it with the FTC,? he said.
To file a complaint, call toll free 877-FTC-HELP (382-4357), visit ftc.gov, or mail to Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C., 20580.
The Telemarketiong Sales Rule allows law enforcement to prosecute violators who operate across state lines.
When asked, telemarketers have told Bucacink they were calling from places like Arizona and India.
Bucacink said she thinks the telemarketers may have gotten her number from someone providing a false phone number when asked.
‘If someone asks for your phone number, just say no,? she said. ‘Why give a false phone number??

Tips to avoid tele-trouble

To help customers reduce the amount of unwanted calls during private time, AT&T suggests the following:
? Be protective of phone numbers. When filling out subscriptions, signing up for Internet offers or email accounts, buying groceries or shopping, think about whether you’d like to receive calls from them before writing or giving out your home number;
? Evaluate phone directory options, such as listing only last name and first name initial, omitting home address, or no listing at all. Phone information can also be available through directory assistance but not published on the phone book.
? If a return call is needed, ask for a call-back number or provide an alternate phone number, like an office number.
? Don’t use phone numbers as ATM, credit card or bank account passwords. Also, keep items such as bills and other paperwork that may list home numbers in a safe place.
? Think about subscribing to phone screening services such as Caller ID or Call Blocker to help filter or eliminate unwanted calls.