Have you noticed that the annoying car warranty spam calls have slowed down, or have even stopped? That’s thanks to measures taken by entities like the Federal Trade Commission and Verizon Wireless, who took legal action to stop these telemarketers from illegally circumventing the Do Not Call list. Not only are they tip-toeing around the list, but they’re breaking federal law restricting telemarketers from calling cell phones. But while those specific calls may be on the decline, a new crop appears to be rising up in their place.
Instead of car warranties, the new calls — which are delivered in the same format as their predecessors — urge recipients to speak with a representative regarding interest rates. The scam apparently culminates with the recipient handing over personal information, including credit card numbers. The FTC claims that consumers paid over $10 million to these types of scammers last year, though it’s unknown how many of them exist and whether they are in cahoots.
Senator Chuck Schumer of New York believes that stricter action must be taken against those who ignore the Do Not Call registry and autodial anyone they wish willy nilly. “At first I got no spam on my cell, but now first it’s auto scams, then it’s credit card and mortgage scams,” he said. “Somehow the Do Not Call list is being pierced. We need to know who is responsible and have stronger penalties for them.”
The FTC has already placed a restraining order on owners of three auto dialing companies, which would impose those stricter penalties. Yet with a new scheme replacing the old one, the scammers may have found yet another way to circumvent the law. Until these loops are closed and the spammers shut down for good, Schumer offers the most prudent advice: “Do not send them your credit card numbers.” That will reduce the damage to mere annoyance, rather than annoyance and financial loss.
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