Nov 2, 2012
You are absolutely incorrect in this statement. As a real estate broker, we are very familiar with these laws, and our attorneys have advised us constantly that if we do not have an existing relationship, we are precluded from making calls soliciting business. "Soliciting business" in our case includes not only seeking a sale or contract to list properties, but all other offers, including offering a free service such as a 'home value analysis at no charge.' I think you need to seek counsel on this statement, as it is definitely not correct.
Don't put up with these morons who use robo-dial systems and forged numbers to annoy you at your home or office. A couple of suggestions:
1. Tell them you are going to another phone, or hanging up on another call, and ask them to hold for a moment while you switch phones. Put them on hold and walk away--they are usually stupid enough to just sit on the phone line for 2 or 3 minutes before they give up, wasting their time.
2. If you have the time, play along with them, giving phony numbers, phony names, bad addresses, or whatever you can to waste their time. When you're tired of the game, just say "I'm not interested, remove me from your call list" and hang up.
In speaking with a person at the California state Contractors Licensing Board the other day, trying to file a complaint against a home improvement spammer, she indicated that she couldn't take the complaint, but one could be filed with the Public Utilities Commission in California. I haven't followed up on this yet, but it may also be true.