# How to get rid of "charity" telemarketers? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 22, 2005, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-charity-telemarketers/327420 "2005-10-22T13:38:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-charity-telemarketers/327420/1 "2005-10-22T13:38:22Z")
I’m on the National Do-Not-Call list and it has worked quite well since it started (I did have to report one company 3 times before they stopped calling). Now I keep getting calls from organizations claiming to represent various police force funds. I’ve tried not answering when they call, telling them the person they want doesn’t live here, asking them nicely to stop calling me necause I’m not interested, etc. Nothing works. I know they’re exempt from the DNC list, so what do I do? I know I could just ignore them when I see their number on the Caller ID, but they called me this morning at 7:15am!! I’m ready to start the “suggest they do disgusting acts before I’d consider donating to their scams” step. ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-charity-telemarketers/327420/2 "2005-10-22T14:41:34Z")
Those clowns are the hardest to get rid of. I went through a spell where they actually harrassed me by being slightlydeceitful to outright lying, hanging up only to call back, etc. They tended to call in cycles- sometimes several tines a day, sometimes taking a few weeks off. I posted a thread or two about it here and how I handled it. I can’t recall now, but I wound up keeping a log of the calls (and what occured during them) and then filing a complaint with the FTC, my Attorney General, and writing repeated emails to the president of the Texas Fraternal Order of Police. They have not called here in about a year. As near as I can tell, if you were to donate $10.00 to the FOP, you would be doing well if about 25 to 50 cents of that ten bucks went to any (questionably) worthy cause (it appears the ‘worthy’ part is the FOP providing some very low dollar ‘insurance’ benefits to members). BTW, they say they are exempt from the do-not-call list because they are a charity. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-charity-telemarketers/327420/3 "2005-10-22T15:50:11Z")
These guys usually call by just going through the phone book. There is nothing that you can tell the phone drone that will stop future calls. The best thing that you can do is say “no thanks” and hang up the phone. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-charity-telemarketers/327420/4 "2005-10-22T16:16:02Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > These guys usually call by just going through the phone book. There is nothing that you can tell the phone drone that will stop future calls. The best thing that you can do is say “no thanks” and hang up the phone. Sorry, but the “nice reply” staged is over. The same guy just called me again and denied calling earlier. Before I could ask that my name be removed from their list, the bastard hung up on me! Let the rudeness begin. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-charity-telemarketers/327420/5 "2005-10-22T16:30:37Z")
Professional fundraisers often use computerized dialers, dialing several numbers at once. That’s why they pause while the machine tells them who they called. **They usually hang up after the second ring.** It’s still a hassle to pick up the phone, but if you wait until after the second ring, you won’t have to talk to them. According the the Indianapolis Star, the Ind. State Police Assn. and the parallel one for Sherriffs are both using professional fundraisers, and less than 20% of the money actually goes to the org. There are a flock of “veterans” orgs that are nothing short of fraudulent. The Star checked the places one of the groups claimed they used their funds. The VA hospitals and such had never heard of them. It’s bad enough that the government screws the vets, but a charity that screws them should go to jail. My wife made a list on Excel of all the charities we support, when, and how much for the last 3 years. We keep a copy by each phone, so I can tell at a glance if we gave 'em anything this year. If they’re not on the list, they get a quick no. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-charity-telemarketers/327420/6 "2005-10-22T16:35:57Z")
I usually say something like “things are very tight - i’ve had unexpected medical expenses” and I hang up This year I’ve been able to truthfully say “I’ve already given more than I can afford to Hurricane Relief” and I hang up I never give them a chance to “talk me into it” ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-charity-telemarketers/327420/7 "2005-10-22T16:36:11Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > Professional fundraisers often use computerized dialers, dialing several numbers at once. That’s why they pause while the machine tells them who they called. **They usually hang up after the second ring.** It’s still a hassle to pick up the phone, but if you wait until after the second ring, you won’t have to talk to them. I just want them to stop. Period. I have told them nicely that I don’t give to any charity that calls me on the phone. I have asked them nicely to stop calling me. They won’t. If they want to hear me be abusive, they are free to continue to call me. You’d think they would realize that I’m never going to contribute to their scam charity and move on to some other sucker on their list. It’s gotten to the point where they are calling me approximately every four hours! This is ridiculous. I don’t see why they can’t be added to the Do Not Call registry. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-charity-telemarketers/327420/8 "2005-10-22T16:37:28Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > I usually say something like “things are very tight - i’ve had unexpected medical expenses” and I hang up > > This year I’ve been able to truthfully say “I’ve already given more than I can afford to Hurricane Relief” and I hang up > > I never give them a chance to “talk me into it” They could talk to me until they die of old age and they would never convince me to contribute anything. I want to make it as unplesant as possible to dial my number and get me on the phone. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-charity-telemarketers/327420/9 "2005-10-22T16:39:40Z")
Damn if I didn’t just get one of the stinkin calls - and no, he was still there on the third ring. and get this! He was OUTSOURCED (or that particular charity hired the folks with the thickest accents!) YEESH! :smack: BTW - I read somewhere (and if I could remember where/when, I’d post the link), that charities are exempt from complying with the DNC lists ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-charity-telemarketers/327420/10 "2005-10-22T16:42:09Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > BTW - I read somewhere (and if I could remember where/when, I’d post the link), that charities are exempt from complying with the DNC lists Charities, political parties, polltakers, and companies you’ve done business with in the last 18 months are exempt. I think this should be changed. If you request that a company that you don’t do business with stop calling you, they should have to comply. Period. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-charity-telemarketers/327420/11 "2005-10-22T16:44:26Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > Charities, political parties, polltakers, and companies you’ve done business with in the last 18 months are exempt. > > I think this should be changed. If you request that a company that you don’t do business with stop calling you, they should have to comply. Period. that many? :eek: what the hell is the freakin point of the list then??? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-charity-telemarketers/327420/12 "2005-10-22T16:45:08Z")
Also, even though this company claims to be a charity, I’m still going to register a complaint with the DNC. Hell, it might just work. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-charity-telemarketers/327420/13 "2005-10-22T16:47:02Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > that many? :eek: what the hell is the freakin point of the list then??? Beats me, although it has cut the number of nuisance calls I get dramatically. For a brief period earlier this year, I was getting 5-6 calls per week from polltakers. After suggesting they engage in certain sexual acts, the calls stopped. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-charity-telemarketers/327420/14 "2005-10-22T16:51:15Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > I usually say something like “things are very tight - i’ve had unexpected medical expenses” and I hang up > > This year I’ve been able to truthfully say “I’ve already given more than I can afford to Hurricane Relief” and I hang up > > I never give them a chance to “talk me into it” I haven’t had any of those calls in years (since I had a landline). The last time I got one I told the guy I was in college, renting, and didn’t have any money to spare (all true) –So can I count on you for $20.00 -No, I’m not going to be donating anything, I can barely cover groceries right now –I’ll just put you down for $10.00 -NO, I’m not going to donate ANYTHING –How about I just mark you down for $5.00 and you’ll get a bill in the mail that you can pay from. -NO!! I’m not going to pay it. Click Couldn’t believe how persistant he was. You’d think after the first no, he would let it go. He could have been rejected by two more people in the time he was on the phone with me. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-charity-telemarketers/327420/15 "2005-10-22T16:54:17Z")
> [@Joey P](#): > > Couldn’t believe how persistant he was. You’d think after the first no, he would let it go. He could have been rejected by two more people in the time he was on the phone with me. That’s why I’m opting for the rude route. Maybe his supervisor is listening and he’ll gett reamed out for wasting time. ---
**Author:** ![LiveOnAPlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@LiveOnAPlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveOnAPlane)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-charity-telemarketers/327420/16 "2005-10-22T17:18:03Z")
I’ve heard one approach that seems to be effective: Tell the caller to “Hold ono just a sec, I have to take the garbage out,” or something such. Then just leave the phone off the hook for however long. This does have a very desired effect of completely wasting their worthless time for as long as they’re willing to hold on. Myself, I prefer the following: He/She: “Hello, Live (it’s always the first name…like we’ve been properly introduced or something. i’ll rant on this in another Pit post someday), how are you? I represent…blah, blah, blah” Me: “Well, I’m in my recliner doin’ just fine, thanks. So, tell me, what are you wearing?” He/She: (the response varies, but does NOT matter) Me: “Oh, Gawd, that is so hot! I am so in to that. Lissen, undo one button. Can I see anything yet? Undo another one. Pleeeaseeee, don’t be shy. Can you see me slipping my underwear off yet?..” I usually don’t get that far, but man, I am telling you it is FUN. And usually, that organization does not call back! ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-charity-telemarketers/327420/17 "2005-10-22T17:30:15Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > That’s why I’m opting for the rude route. Maybe his supervisor is listening and he’ll gett reamed out for wasting time. I suspect that some of them get revenge for rudeness by calling back just to irk you more. I also suspect that the supervisor is more inclined to be protective of the callers if they’re getting abuse. But I believe that their pay is linked to how many “yesses” they get or the dollar amount they raise, so wasting their time hurts them. I think **LiveOnAPlane’s** suggestions would be effective. If they perceive you as a time-waster with little or no entertainment value, I imagine they’d be more inclined to stop calling. But they have to come up with the idea – if you in any suggest they stop, they know they can get your goat by not stopping. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-charity-telemarketers/327420/18 "2005-10-22T17:31:41Z")
That should have been “…if you in any **way** suggest they stop…” ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-charity-telemarketers/327420/19 "2005-10-22T17:33:40Z")
> [@Gary T](#): > > I suspect that some of them get revenge for rudeness by calling back just to irk you more. I also suspect that the supervisor is more inclined to be protective of the callers if they’re getting abuse. But I believe that their pay is linked to how many “yesses” they get or the dollar amount they raise, so wasting their time hurts them. Abuse goes with the job. Sucks to be them. The supervisor has to answer to someone, I’m sure. Besides, it’ll be fun to see how far I can get before they hang up. I got rid of my goat years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-charity-telemarketers/327420/20 "2005-10-22T17:34:43Z")
> [@Gary T](#): > > That should have been “…if you in any **way** suggest they stop…” I didn’t suggest. I asked nicely. They won’t listen. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-charity-telemarketers/327420.md?page=2)