Jan 30, 2014
That was no woman.
Auto-dialling, computer-generated, (aka "robo-caller) avatar, "Jennifer", phones thousands of people each day, offering a "free" cruise for Caribbean Cruise Lines... repeating the same questions until the callee supplies the sought-after information. In this case, Caribbean Cruise Lines wants to know if you/ me have a valid credit card in our name because as you may have guessed.. the alleged "free" Caribbean cruise is NOT free.
According to the Federal Trade Commission consumer response team, companies that utilise computer-generated telemarketing robo-calls, voice-mails, texts and/ or emails are breaking the law if they do not offer an 'opt-out' option. The more legitimate and responsible companies will supply a simple "..if you do not wish to receive further offers, please press 1".. (adding that the number dialled will be removed from their call list within 24 - 72 hours)
Generally, if a robo-call doesn't offer an opt-out option, phoning back, asking for a supervisor and firmly stating you are opting-out of any/ all future contact should result in your number being removed from their auto-dial system.
Caribbean Cruise Lines robo-calls are invasive and annoying but more importantly, illegal due to the fact that the bot-caller disconnects when/ if the callee requests a supervisor (yet the calls continue). If the callee phones back, they reach the same robo-bot vs. a live call centre. Companies that make it impossible for the harassed public to opt-out are breaking the law.
It's best to report robo-calls that don't offer an opt-out option to the Federal Trade Commission (as well as register your phone number with the National Do Not Call List.
Consumers can register on-line for the national do-not-call registry by going to www.donotcall.gov.
To register by telephone, consumers may call 1-888-382-1222.