How to Stop Telemarketers

Telemarketers are at best an annoyance, at worst scam artists seeking your identity and bank account. The first step in stopping telemarketers is registering your phone numbers at the National Do Not Call Registry. You can register your home phone and all of your cell phone numbers. Honest telemarketers must stop calling you 31 days after you register, unless you've done business with the company or requested information from the company.

That leaves the con artists and dishonest people who scoff at the law and at your wish for privacy. They often use cell phones. Many have several cell phone numbers, so that if you block one number, they can use another. Follow these steps to stop telemarketers who use cell phones to interrupt your day.

Step 1

Tell the caller, "Place me on your do not call list." According to the law, whether or not your phone is registered on the National Do Not Call Registry, once you say those magic words, they are not allowed to call you again, either at your cell phone number or on your landline.

Step 2

Jot down the phone number of the person who called and the date. If you have a landline phone number and a cell phone number, record the number the person used to reach you.

Step 3

Use a reverse phone search to find out who called you. The more you know about the business or individual who is calling you, the better. If the caller does not seem to be a legitimate business, contact your local law enforcement agency. They can take action against con artists if need be.

Some websites only search landline phones. To run a reverse cell phone lookup, locate a reverse search directory. Enter the phone number of the telemarketer. The website has access to private databases that can reveal the name associated with the queried phone number.

Once you know the name and address of the owner, you can send them a written request to put you on their do not call list. If they call again, whether or not you've sent them a note, you can notify the FTC. It takes about two minutes--just follow the links on the Do Not Call Registry Website and fill in the information requested.