Feb 3, 2012
Agree with William. You can also call your phone company and have them block the telemarketers number that was used to call you (a minor victory for that particular number).
These telemarketers are hired by local contractors to sell services. If you care to, go ahead and find out who the local service is by getting an appointment with them to find out who they are, then turn the local service company into the FCC's do not call list. I did this with a local carpet cleaner who had contracted with a telemarketer like this and, once I found out who it was, he begged me not to turn HIM in for using the telemarketer service. He claimed he had no control over who the telemarketing agency called (and that is probably true), and he would let them know to remove my name. Too late in this instance though as I reported him. Have never heard from that company again...
Until there is more transparency placed on telemarketers with the phone companies (no private numbers or spoof calling systems), this will not stop. BUT, if you remain polite to the local people who call to set up the appointment, you will ultimately find out who they are.
Remember, do not ask them upfront who they are or where they are located as they are trained to just hang up. Get the appointment first, then ask the name of the company who will be servicing your home, and a return phone number in case you have to cancel for any reason (since you are a Dr and never know when you will be paged, etc). Once you have that, then you can go into action, file the complaint with the Do Not Call list first, then call the local service provider and advise the owner that you just reported them and the telemarketing number that first called you. The average owner will freak...trust me.
If enough people take the time to do this (it is a pain, I know), many local services will stop using them if they are fined $10k for every phone call made from a DNC list. These telemarketing companies are generally run by greedy, unethical, spineless vermin who care only about money and nothing else. My brother has worked for companies like this, and they actually laugh about how annoyed people get, because they have no soul. Bummer for us, but get them where it hits them most...in the pocket book.
Good luck!