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Identity Theft Advisory: Phone Scammers Posing as Do Not Call ListLos Angeles, CA, Apr 25, 2013 (PRWeb.com via COMTEX) -- Scambook, the Internet's leading consumer complaint resolution platform, is issuing an important warning about a telephone scam involving the National Do Not Call Registry.* Callers claiming to represent the National Do Not Call Registry invite victims to register their phone numbers or renew their registration,*** requiring the exchange of private information that can be sold in marketing lists or even used for identity theft. "These unsolicited calls are more than aggravating," said Kase Chong, Scambook's Director of Marketing. "Scammers are tricking consumers into supplying valuable personal information that can be utilized for identity theft or illegal marketing. The scammers may impersonate a government body, making it difficult for victims to know who to trust or where to get help." The National Do Not Call Registry was created in 2003 to allow consumers to block unwanted telemarketing calls. The Federal Trade Commission, which operates the National Do Not Registry, will never make unsolicited phone calls. ** Although the Registry originally required consumers to renew their registration, this provision was dropped in 2008. Currently, any phone number added to the National Do Not Call Registry will remain on the list in perpetuity. The Do Not Call registration does not expire.* To help identify and avoid this phone scam, Scambook advises consumers to make note of the following 6 facts about the National Do Not Call Registry: 1. Consumers can register their phone numbers by calling 888-382-1222 from the phone they wish to register, or register online at http://www.donotcall.gov. Registration is 100% free and does not expire. There is no deadline to register. 2. The FTC does not allow private companies or third parties to register consumer phone numbers. Any website or caller who offers to register the consumer's name is fraudulent. 3. Consumers can find out if their number is already registered by calling 1-888-382-1222 or verifying the registry online at http://www.donotcall.gov. 4. Telemarketing companies are required to stop calling a registered number within 31 days of initial registration.** Consumers can also prohibit individual companies from calling by requesting that the company add their number to the company's own do not call list. Companies must honor this request. 5. The National Do Not Call Registry does not cover political calls, charities, telephone surveys or any company with which the consumer has an existing business relationship. Calls that claim to be a survey but also sell goods or services must comply with the Do Not Call regulations.*** 6. If a company violates Do Not Call regulations, consumers may file a complaint at http://www.donotcall.gov. However, Scambook notes that any complaints filed on the Do Not Call site will only be used for law enforcement investigation and/or statistics. To resolve an individual complaint, Scambook invites consumers to use its 100% free services at http://www.scambook.com/submit. ABOUT SCAMBOOK Scambook is an online complaint resolution platform dedicated to obtaining justice for victims of fraud with unprecedented speed and accuracy. By building communities and providing resources on the latest scams, Scambook arms consumers with the up-to-date information they need to stay on top of emerging schemes. Since its inception, Scambook has resolved over $10 million in reported consumer damages. For more information, visit scambook.com. National Do Not Call Registry; https://www.donotcall.gov/ ** Federal Trade Commission; Consumer Information: National Do Not Call Registry; http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0108-national-do-not-call-registry *** Lipka, Mitch; Now there's a 'do not call' list scam; http://money.msn.com/saving-money-tips/post.aspx post=ed31e585-a26c-48c7-a1ec-ee0b0883d1e7 Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/4/prweb10669862.htm PRWeb.com |