Not all telemarketers use scams or schemes to earn money. But all of them must comply with the Federal Trade Commission's Telemarketing Sales Rule.
* Telemarketers may only call between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
* Telemarketers must tell you who they are and that they are selling something—before they make their sales pitch.
* Telemarketers must tell you the odds of winning any prizes and any restrictions on the prize or merchandise. In addition, if it is a prize promotion, they must tell you there is no purchase or payment necessary.
* Telemarketers must be truthful in how they represent their goods and services, such as earnings potential or the risk of the investment.
* Telemarketers must share the total cost of the product or service they are promoting. They must share if there are restrictions, if the sale is final, and the refund policy prior to the purchase.
* Telemarketers cannot withdraw money from your account without your verifiable authorization. Therefore, if you agree to have payments made from one of your financial accounts, they must fully disclose the number of payments, date of payments, and the amount of each payment.
* Telemarketers may not call you back if you ask them not to.
The FTC reminds consumers that anyone with a phone can be a victim of a scamming telemarketer. So when you're on the phone, be very cautious. If you have doubts about an offer, check it out and get it in writing.
The federal government has created the National Do Not Call Registry as a free and easy way to reduce the telemarketing calls you receive at home. To register, or to get information, visit www.donotcall.gov, or call toll-free 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236) from the phone you want to register.
To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit the Federal Trade Commission Web site,
or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261.
This Web site also has more information on the Telemarketing Sales Rule.
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