Next week is primary election day in PA. For the last week or so I’ve been getting “voter alerts” from candidates from both parties 2 to 3 times a day, everyday. And the worst part? Every single one of them blocks their name and phone number from caller ID. Not only that but the “alert” is a voice recording! There’s no way of getting ahold of a person or mention of a number to call to complain or get my number off their list. At least telemarketers are trying to sell you something and either have a person make the call or have some way of getting in touch with them. Isn’t it illegal for solictors to block their number or use automated messages? Or are politcal candidates exempt from the law? At least this constant harresment will stop next week (until Nov).
PS For what its worth I am on the Do Not Call list; hasn’t stoped anybody.
As far as I know, they aren’t bound by the DNC listings in the US.
Australia is currently running a bill through parliament to restrict telemarketing through the introduction of DNC lists, and like your system, political ‘advertising’ will be exempt, as will bona-fide market research companies and registered charity fundraising. From what I have gathered reading the legislation, we have copied it straight from the US model, so there are certainly some unsolicited calls that will get through because they are not technically ‘telemarketing’.
Just fyi.
Yep, the politicians exempted themselves from the DNC law. Because, you know, EVERYONE is just VERY INTERESTED in politics, and wants to hear as much about it as possible.
I think that phones with Caller ID can block calls that don’t display a name and number. We don’t have Caller ID, so I’m not sure.
Every time I get a “voter alert” like that, I think about calling the group that called me and alterting them to that this voter thinks they’re a bunch of fucking morons.
Hmm, can you effectively DOS a phone line?
I’ve dropped e-mails to campaigns letting them know that, since they ignored my stated desire not to get unsolicited phone calls, they lost my vote. Same with charities (also exempt from the DNC list).
Of course, since I get the calls from both sides as election day approaches, I end up making my voting decision based on other factors. The charities, on the other hand, get blacklisted and stay blacklisted- there are plenty of worthy causes that don’t intrude in my house, against my will, to beg.
Yes, but it may be unwise to do so unless you have large amounts of cash for lawyers and fines and such.
I pay Verizon $5 a month for that service. I can also put any number I wish on the block list, or allow any number to pass through.