Monday, April 17, 2006

The Seattle Times: Make It Count: Do telephone surveys skirt the do-not-call laws?

The Seattle Times: Make It Count: Do telephone surveys skirt the do-not-call laws?: "Do telephone surveys skirt the do-not-call laws?

Q: Over the past few weeks we've received automated calls that purport to be a survey. Today, for example, we received an automated call that claimed to be from 'My Surveys' (the names of these surveys change from call to call, we've noticed). The recorded voice says you've been selected for a survey and then asks a series of questions to which you are to respond either yes or no by pushing numbers 1 or 2 on your phone. Some questions are financial: for example, 'Do you have a mortgage?' Today's survey asked if anyone in your family has an addiction.

Who are these people? What are they up to? Is this practice, as I suspect, an attempt to get around the do-not-call list? And is there anything we can do to get them to stop?

— M.M.

A: Surveys are one of three types of calls that are exempt from the do-not-call registry, said Charles Harwood, regional director for the Federal Trade Commission. (Political calls and nonprofit activities are also exempt). If the survey turns into a sales pitch, then it is a commercial call and should be covered by the do-not-call rules, he said."

No comments: