# Who gets the $11,000 ?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gets-the-11-000/211280>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 4, 2003, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gets-the-11-000/211280 "2003-11-04T04:25:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![RedDawgEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dbc845/32.png) [@RedDawgEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedDawgEsq)\
**Post date:** [November 4, 2003, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gets-the-11-000/211280/1 "2003-11-04T04:25:06Z")

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OK, say I catch a telemarketer red-handed. He calls my number (which is on the DNC list) with a solicitation clearly against the rules. He is not exempt (i.e., a charity, political worker, etc.) I get his name, organization, telephone, a .WAV of our conversation, and register a complaint with the FTC ([www.donotcall.com](http://www.donotcall.com))  
Questions:  
1. Who prosecutes this turkey and where?  
1a. Suppose he is offshore?  
2. If he is convicted, who gets the $11,000?  
2a. If I expect to get any of it, what do I need to do?  
2b. How long will I have to wait to get it?

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**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\
**Post date:** [November 4, 2003, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gets-the-11-000/211280/2 "2003-11-04T04:48:42Z")

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It is a violation of 47 CFR 64.1200.

The FCC prosecutes.

Fines are levied by the FCC.

You get nothing, win or lose, except the telemarketeer won’t call you again.

See [http://ftp.fcc.gov/cgb/policy/telemarketing.html](http://ftp.fcc.gov/cgb/policy/telemarketing.html) for more information.

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**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\
**Post date:** [November 4, 2003, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gets-the-11-000/211280/3 "2003-11-04T04:52:44Z")

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The bellboy?

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**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\
**Post date:** [November 4, 2003, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gets-the-11-000/211280/4 "2003-11-04T04:55:02Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> You get nothing, win or lose, except the telemarketeer won’t call you again.

You probably _do_ get an immense sense of satisfaction.

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**Author:** ![RedDawgEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dbc845/32.png) [@RedDawgEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedDawgEsq)\
**Post date:** [November 4, 2003, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gets-the-11-000/211280/5 "2003-11-04T04:58:21Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Duckster \*  
> \*\*You get nothing, win or lose, except the telemarketeer won’t call you again. \*\*

Sheesh, not even a finder’s fee? How cheap! :mad:

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**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\
**Post date:** [November 4, 2003, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gets-the-11-000/211280/6 "2003-11-04T05:08:06Z")

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Then again, if you had filed your complaint using the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) of 1991 before the current law amended it, you might have won $500-$1,500 per incident. I’m not sure if you are entitled anymore.