Canada's Do-Not-Hesitate-To-Call List

An anonymous reader writes "The creation of a do-not-call list in Canada has run into trouble. Michael Geist reports that the proposal has been effectively destroyed, with exceptions for just about every telemarketer including businesses, political parties, polling companies, and charities. The government committee apparently heard from the marketers but refused to listen to consumer groups."

Comments

this gives the perfect opportunity...

[tuxette]

...to test out the anti-telemarketing counterscript ;-)

Re:this gives the perfect opportunity...

[millermj]

Or this one, which describes how to get the information you would need to take them to court (and earn a little cash) if they didn't put you on their do-not-call list.

Re:this gives the perfect opportunity...

[thc69]

Additionally, in the US anyway, you can block calls from private numbers (those with caller ID information blocked). This forces telemarketers to dial *82 to enable caller ID info to be sent (or to not bother calling you at all); once you have their originating number, you have an extremely useful piece of data for your battle.

Re:Not Surprising

[Anonymous Coward]

You think maybe that didn't work out because business lines are exempt?

Re:Not Surprising

[Otter]

At my home, the rate of telemarketing calls has dropped from several a day to zero, starting as soon as the registry law went into effect.

Are you sure your business numbers are really on the list? I'd suggest resubmitting the numbers, and if the calls don't stop (20-50 a day?!?!?) file complaints and demand compensation.

Re:Pre-emptive slashdotting!

[op12]

It appears (from Google's cache) that his article was just summarizing this Toronto Star article.

Re:Not Surprising

[Surt]

So out of curiosity, why aren't you pursuing your $500/call DNC violation penalty.

I've not had a single telemarketing call since the DNC, and was averaging three per day before it, so for me it has been a great success.

Re:Not Surprising

[AviLazar]

Thats because Business' do not apply to the DNCR. Telemarketers can still call a business. The DNCR is there to protect personal numbers. It seems to work well for me. I only receive one telemarketing call in the past year or so and it was from a company that I purchase from in the past.

Re:Not Surprising -- Mod parent up

[thc69]

AC is right. Business numbers can be placed on the list, but they are not enforceable.

Also, I bet that as an ISP, you deal with companies who are affiliated with other companies, and can try to use the loophole for existing business relationships -- if they have any sort of business relationship to you, or you've ever called or contacted them, then they can market to you unless you explicitly tell them to only call you on existing business.

Re:Corrupt Canadian Government

[RobinH]

I'm sorry, but you obviously didn't read the article. These are the OPPOSITION's amendments (the opposition being your beloved CONSERVATIVES) who want to protect their buddies in big business.

The government (i.e. liberal) amendment is to allow the person with the telephone number to say they want to exempt charities when they put themselves on the list. That's more reasonable, obviously.

Don't bother putting your foot in your mouth. We forgive you for your ignorance. You're obviously practicing to be an American.