Telemarketing Tactics Seen As Major Nuisance

In response to numerous consumer complaints to his office, Attorney General Spitzer today offered a series of tips on how to minimize unwanted telemarketing calls.

"At some point, creative and aggressive marketing can cross a line and become more than a nuisance," Spitzer said. "In these cases, consumers must educate themselves on ways to protect their privacy."

Spitzer urged consumers to do the following:

1. Keep Records: When you receive an unwanted telemarketing call, ask for the name of the caller, and the name company the telemarketer represents. Record this information along with the time and date of the call.
2. Inform the telemarketer that you would like your name placed on the company's "Do Not Call" list. Federal law requires most telemarketers to keep such lists. The law prohibits telemarketers from calling anyone on the list for at least 10 years.
3. Contact the Attorney General's Office if you believe a telemarketer has called you in violation of this law. (See below for contact information)
4. You may also requesting that your name is removed from calling and mailing lists by writing to the Direct Marketers Association's Telephone Preference Service, P.O. Box 9014, Farmingdale, New York 11735-9014 and by calling (800) 407-1088.

Anyone interested in more information on stopping unwanted calls or in obtaining copies of Spitzer's tip card entitled "Consumer Tips: Stopping Unwanted Telemarketing Calls" is encouraged to contact the Attorney General's Office by calling his hotline at (800) 771-7755 or by visiting his web site at www.ag.ny.gov.

Note to Radio News Rooms: Audio clip is available through a 24-hour toll free newsline at: (877) 345-3466 choice 2.