Opt out of political calls?

[NoClueBoy]

This recent thread talked about the problem, but I'm wondering if there is an answer I missed that addresses how to stop them (or at least reduce them).

It's an election year. These are mostly robo-calls (so there's no one on the other end to chastize). It's on my cell phone and land line.

I already know that the Do Not Call Registry plainly tells me that the list does not apply to charities or political crap.

What I want to know is: Is there ANY way to opt out?

Often the calls come from a toll free or out of state area code, but sometimes, they have my local area code. Being self employed and relying on phones for much of my business, I usually answer calls even from unfamiliar local numbers, not wanting to miss out on a possible new customer.

So, not answering or letting all unknown numbers goes to voice mail is not a good option for me. And it's more of an annoyance than anything else, being on an unlimited minutes plan.

Any ideas?

[Lips_Obsession]

Some phone services (especially VOiP based ones like Ooma, for example) offer premium services where you can activate blocklists. Ooma's blocklist, for example, is actually a group blocklist, so people "nominate" numbers to be added to the list and Ooma approves them. This would probably be pretty effective for this kind of thing. If they let you opt-in on a category by category basis, that would be even better. I am not a premium subscriber, so I cannot answer if they do the category thing....

[NoClueBoy]

That gives me an idea I should've tried already. Go to my phone company account page and see if they have something similar.


:::time passes while I search:::


Looks like I can block numbers from calling or texting, but I have to have a specific number to add to my unwanted list. So, that takes care of everyone who has already called. Won't let me do blanket area codes or exchanges.

Thanks for the idea!

[Khadaji]

I tried to get these people to leave me alone. I started by asking nicely and got a little more aggressive.

I finally bought one of these. (CALL BLOCKER-V2)

It was the best 86 bucks I've spent in a long time.

[md2000]

My parents had a service or something that would require you to state your name and purpose if you were not on their approved list. Then they could review that and decide to call you back. Nver asked them where they got that from.

Why would politicians write the rules so you could call-block politicians?

The Canadian DNCL system specifically excludes political calls (and IIRC most charities) from DoNotCall rules. Since it can't really be enforced against calls from the USA or elsewhere, what was the point anyway?

[Fear Itself]

If you have a computer with a dial-up modem that is Caller ID capable, I use Phone Tray to manage unwanted calls. Block numbers with a mouse click, wildcard blocking and online lookup of numbers while they are still ringing. Free.

[t-bonham@scc.net]

Originally Posted by NoClueBoy

This recent thread talked about the problem, but I'm wondering if there is an answer I missed that addresses how to stop them (or at least reduce them).

No. Why should ther be? It is your duty as a citizen to participate in the political process of choosing our elected representatives.

Well, I guess you could renounce your citizenship, and move to someplace like Russia or North Korea. I don't suppose they have many political calls there.

Or you could get convicted of a felony. Most states exclude convicted felons from voting.

If you'd prefer one of those to participating in our democratic election process, go for it.

[NoClueBoy]

Originally Posted by t-bonham@scc.net

No. Why should ther be? It is your duty as a citizen to participate in the political process of choosing our elected representatives.

Well, I guess you could renounce your citizenship, and move to someplace like Russia or North Korea. I don't suppose they have many political calls there.

Or you could get convicted of a felony. Most states exclude convicted felons from voting.

If you'd prefer one of those to participating in our democratic election process, go for it.

That was pretty uncalled for.

My mind is already made up on the issues and candidates, being a well informed citizen. Thanks for the non GQ response.

[Jenaroph]

Originally Posted by t-bonham@scc.net

No. Why should ther be? It is your duty as a citizen to participate in the political process of choosing our elected representatives.

Well, I guess you could renounce your citizenship, and move to someplace like Russia or North Korea. I don't suppose they have many political calls there.

Or you could get convicted of a felony. Most states exclude convicted felons from voting.

If you'd prefer one of those to participating in our democratic election process, go for it.

It is possible to vote and fulfill your public duty without subjecting yourself to political advertising. There's nothing about the democratic election process that requires you to interrupt your dinner to listen to a recording about some issue or candidate or other. Why, sometimes when I find one of these messages on my answering machine, I delete it without listening! Horrors! What's next, hitting mute when the latest attack ad comes on while I'm watching The Daily Show? That should be illegal!

I wonder about the legality of calling cell phones - they're using the taxpayer's money (their cell phone minutes) to deliver a political message. Isn't that a no-no?

[Little Nemo]

You could move to New York. We're pretty much a lock for major elections and our primaries are set too far back to decide anything, so nobody bothers wasting much money on political advertising here. At most you'll get a few ads for local races.

[Lynn Bodoni]

Originally Posted by t-bonham@scc.net

No. Why should ther be? It is your duty as a citizen to participate in the political process of choosing our elected representatives.

Well, I guess you could renounce your citizenship, and move to someplace like Russia or North Korea. I don't suppose they have many political calls there.

Or you could get convicted of a felony. Most states exclude convicted felons from voting.

If you'd prefer one of those to participating in our democratic election process, go for it.

Receiving political telemarketing is NOT participating in the political process. Well, it does tend to influence my vote. I have a policy of not voting for anyone who telemarkets to me. And this has even made me vote against a guy that I had previously supported.

[Tom Tildrum]

The FTC's do-not-call list specifically exempts political calling, IIRC.

It somewhat stands to reason that Congress would not pass a law that allows one to opt out from listening to them.

[TerpBE]

I usually say, "I've decided to vote for whichever candidate calls me the LEAST, so that's -1 for your guy." It'd be nice if everybody started doing this; it would probably be the only way to get candidates to reconsider using these calls.

Also, one time I kept getting calls from my U.S. Representative's campaign, and they wouldn't stop even when I asked. So I tracked down the Representative's home number and called it one evening. I spoke to his wife, and told her about it. The next day, the Representative called me, apologized, and told me if I got any more calls to let him know. I did get one more, but they stopped after that.

Apparently candidates don't like getting unsolicited phone calls at home. Imagine that.

[Lynn Bodoni]

I usually say, "I've decided to vote for whichever candidate calls me the LEAST, so that's -1 for your guy." It'd be nice if everybody started doing this; it would probably be the only way to get candidates to reconsider using these calls.

I'll do this, if I get a live human on the phone. Most of the political calls I receive are robo calls, though.

[Quartz]

Is it legal to charge for receiving these calls?

[Fear Itself]

Originally Posted by Quartz

Is it legal to charge for receiving these calls?

It's legal to send them a bill. I doubt a court would back you up for non-payment though.

[Clothahump]

Originally Posted by Fear Itself

It's legal to send them a bill. I doubt a court would back you up for non-payment though.

If you have the free time....I would find out the PAC or whatever that made the call and send them an invoice for $50 for processing an unsolicited phone call. Send them a dun notice or two after they fail to pay, then file on them in small claims court.

[Fear Itself]

Like I said, I doubt even small claims court is going to back you up. Even if they don't respond, you have to prove up your case, which the court probably won't accept, and then your are out for the court fees.

[NoClueBoy]

Originally Posted by Tom Tildrum

The FTC's do-not-call list specifically exempts political calling, IIRC.

I know. It's in the OP.



My plan is unlimited, so I don't have to worry about them eating my minutes.

Hypothetical: Suppose I was on a lesser plan, and their calls put me over the limit. Do I have a recourse with my cell phone carrier?

[Rhythmdvl]

Originally Posted by Fear Itself

Like I said, I doubt even small claims court is going to back you up. Even if they don't respond, you have to prove up your case, which the court probably won't accept, and then your are out for the court fees.

Small claims may be different, but not showing up typically results in a default judgement--the court basically taking the claims of the petitioner as stipulated to.

[Fear Itself]

Originally Posted by Rhythmdvl

Small claims may be different, but not showing up typically results in a default judgement--the court basically taking the claims of the petitioner as stipulated to.

It is my understand that you still have to prove up your claim. That may vary by jurisdiction, though.

ETA: http://www.co.lubbock.tx.us/departme...php?fDD=47-183

If the defendant does not answer, you may be eligible for a default judgment. A hearing may be set for the Plaintiff to prove up that amount that is due.

[Rhythmdvl]

Originally Posted by Fear Itself

It is my understand that you still have to prove up your claim. That may vary by jurisdiction, though.

ETA: http://www.co.lubbock.tx.us/departme...php?fDD=47-183

So it seems to be in New York:

WHAT HAPPENS IF ONE PARTY DOES NOT APPEAR?

If the claimant does not appear in court when the calendar is called, the case will be dismissed.

If the defendant does not appear, the court will direct an "inquest" (hearing). That means that the claimant will go before the judge or arbitrator to present evidence to prove his or her case without the defendant presenting any evidence. If the claimant's case is proved, a "default" judgment will be awarded against the defendant.

If a default judgment is granted because the defendant did not appear, or the case is dismissed because the claimant did not appear, the losing party may ask the court to re-open the case and restore it for a trial upon a showing of good cause. Contact the clerk for the procedure used to re open the case. The clerk also will set a date when both sides are to return to court or will advise when the judge will issue a decision.

If, on the return date, the judge decides to re-open the case, both sides should be prepared for trial in the event the case is re-opened.

I'm pretty sure this is different from regular, civil court. Or at least that's the impression I got in Civ Pro eleven years ago.

[Tom Tildrum]

Originally Posted by NoClueBoy

I know. It's in the OP.

Hee. Sorry about that.

[DrDeth]

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

[Rhythmdvl]

That sounds familiar, but I just can't place my finger on it. Perhaps if some sort of point was included to the italicized bit it would help.