Stopping Overseas Fax Spam?

iotashan asks: "Likely for most businesses, unsolicited faxes have become quite a problem. They needlessly use up toner and paper, and are usually just scams anyway. Specifically, we are receiving faxes from a company called Flamingo Travel. Now, they appear to bug business across the US, and some innocent parties are falling victim. I have used their automated system for having my fax number removed, to no avail. Is my only weapon having a bunch of friends call this 800 number to make the company's overseas toll-free phone bill unbearable?"

"The latest fax listed a number to call to take advantage of the offer (800-328-9795), so I called it and asked to be removed. The woman took down my number, but rather smugly told me that they are in England so they do not have to obey the US unsolicited fax laws. She wouldn't provide me with any other company information, and then stopped answering calls from my number after repeated hang-ups. The FCC says that it is a civil matter, and to go through the courts. The Fax Preference Service in the UK says they cannot help people outside the UK. Do I have nowhere to turn except an expensive lawyer, armed with no information about the company?"

Comments

How much does this cost THEM?

[Em Ellel]

Ok, one thing I am missing, how much does it cost them? I mean f they are sending the faxes from UK, it will be too costly, but if they are sending it via some sort of internet relay, go after the relay - they are in the US and must obey laws. What am i missing here?

-Em

I just called

[SethJohnson]

The phone was answered by a non-british accented woman. Probably american accent. She said it was not Flamingo Travel but it is a travel agency.

Here's the deal. This is probably being done by an aggregator. The spammer is probably giving out a specific 1-800 number that forwards to a 'reputable' travel agency. Whatever is booked off this phone number is then given a commission to the spammer. It might even be a flat commission on the number of calls, completely ignoring the sales made. So, essentially, it could be like a banner click-thru deal and by us calling, the spammer is making mega-bling.

In any case, if you're going to call this number, be sure to alert the person that you are simply calling to complain about the faxes. This will help the travel people understand that the garbage calls they are receiving are the result of unpleasant and intrusive advertising practices.

Update on Flamingo's Website

[Alex711]

Click on the website of the site and you will get the following message (It's probably a good idea to calm down now): We have been recieving phone calls from people angry that we are sending them fax specials like $99 to Disney and Kids Free. Please know that they are NOT coming from Flamingo Travel Group in Pennsylvania. They are coming from a company in Florida calling themselves Flamingo Travel. Their phone number is 1-800-328-9795 and they sell time shares. FILE YOUR COMPLAINT: http://ftp.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/unwantedfaxes .html ***We do not send faxed specials...ever...period.*** ***We do not send email blasts...we only send email to people that ask for it*** ***We remove people right away if they change thier mind at any time.*** ***We value our privacy and we would never violate yours by sharing privledged contact information. *** ***We have nothing to do with time shares. Personally, I think they are a bad idea*** A reputable Travel Company will provide you with: 1. A Physical Address of thier place of business. 2. Their phone, fax and email information. 3. Their IATA number. 4. They will never ask for your income information...it's none of thier business. 5. Any reputable company should allow you time to check them out, offer information to help you check them out and this information should be verifiable.