"Do Not Call" May Not Apply To Computer
The Federal Trade Commission is considering a change to its "Do Not Call" regulations that would allow consumers to receive pre-recorded messages. Those types of calls are currently not allowed, but companies reportedly claim they need pre-recorded calls to reach consumers with whom they have done business.
More than 80 million telephone numbers are now on the "do not call" registry that took effect one year ago. Media reports indicated that the FTC claims that telemarketers now have to remove numbers from their calling lists within 31 days instead of the previous three months.
ExpressNewsline.com reports that the FTC is also proposing a rule change that will allow consumers to place their name on a list that prohibits even the first call from being made to them by a business. Those regulations would also curtail the use of techniques used to circumvent caller-id systems.
The FTC released its Quarterly Enforcement Update for telemarketing fraud and deceptive practices on January 28. The government agency initiated 22 separate enforcement actions, some of which dealt with the Telemarketing Sales Rule, or "do not call legislation". Typical of those actions was the FTC's December 10, 2004 complaint against FGH International Corporation. The original complaint charged the company with deceptive sales practices, but has been ammended to include violations of the Telemarketing Sales Rule.
State lawmakers are quickly introducing their own legislation. In Alaska, Rep. Kurt Olson is proposing legislation to ban recorded messages whose subject mater includes political candidacy or advocacy for legislation. Across the country, Connecticut representative Donald Sherer is advocating a bill that would create a do not call registry for cell phones and fax numbers.
The proposed changes after only one year and the mobilization to complicate legislation even more is troubling. The FTC's actions against only 22 firms last quarter seems to be a small number. In an editorial titled Golden Dial Tones published after the "do not call" registry went live, Consumer Help Web quoted a telecommunications executive who complained, "When only the bad guys can call, the only sales pitch you may hear is from a bad guy."
Meanwhile, legitimate businesses continue lobbying efforts to keep calling.
Monday, January 31, 2005
Friday, January 28, 2005
Ford Recalling 800,000 Trucks For Fire Risk
Two months after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began investigating reports of fires in 2000 and 2001 Ford pickup trucks, the manufacturer has issued a voluntary safety recall.
A Ford press release confirms that 792,000 vehicles are impacted. They include the F-150, Expedition and Navigator from model year 2000 and the F-Series Supercrew from model year 2001. According to Ford, using the vehicle's cruise control can cause a fire under the hood.
Ford reports that the company does not have enough replacement switches on hand and will first take the step of deactivating the cruise control to eliminate the fire risk. The company announced that it expects to begin notifying consumers by mail in February. When enough replacement parts are on hand, the company will then make the necessary repairs and reactivate the cruise control feature.
Consumer Help Web advises consumers who own these vehicles not to wait for a mailed notice some time in the future. Ford's Customer Assistance Center can be reached by calling toll-free to (866) 436-7332. The consumer advocacy company believes that waiting several weeks for a mailed notice when a problem is known to exist is ineffective communication for consumers at risk and urges consumers to call the company and make appropriate arrangements to deactivate the safety hazard.
Two months after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began investigating reports of fires in 2000 and 2001 Ford pickup trucks, the manufacturer has issued a voluntary safety recall.
A Ford press release confirms that 792,000 vehicles are impacted. They include the F-150, Expedition and Navigator from model year 2000 and the F-Series Supercrew from model year 2001. According to Ford, using the vehicle's cruise control can cause a fire under the hood.
Ford reports that the company does not have enough replacement switches on hand and will first take the step of deactivating the cruise control to eliminate the fire risk. The company announced that it expects to begin notifying consumers by mail in February. When enough replacement parts are on hand, the company will then make the necessary repairs and reactivate the cruise control feature.
Consumer Help Web advises consumers who own these vehicles not to wait for a mailed notice some time in the future. Ford's Customer Assistance Center can be reached by calling toll-free to (866) 436-7332. The consumer advocacy company believes that waiting several weeks for a mailed notice when a problem is known to exist is ineffective communication for consumers at risk and urges consumers to call the company and make appropriate arrangements to deactivate the safety hazard.
Thursday, January 27, 2005
U.S., Mexican Consumer Agencies To Join Efforts
The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced today that it has signed a "memo of understanding" with its sister agency in Mexico to "facilitate greater law enforcement coordination in consumer protection matters affecting both nations."
The agreement with Mexico's Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor (Profeco) is not legally binding and does not alter either country's laws. Instead, the two agencies agreed to exchange information, coordinate law enforcement activities and notify each other of mutual issues.
The FTC has similar agreements with Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced today that it has signed a "memo of understanding" with its sister agency in Mexico to "facilitate greater law enforcement coordination in consumer protection matters affecting both nations."
The agreement with Mexico's Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor (Profeco) is not legally binding and does not alter either country's laws. Instead, the two agencies agreed to exchange information, coordinate law enforcement activities and notify each other of mutual issues.
The FTC has similar agreements with Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Oil Filled Electric Heaters Recalled, 70,000 Consumers Impacted
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Lakewood Engineering announced today that 70,000 oil-filled electric heaters are being recalled due to improper welding.
The company and federal agency advise consumers to immediately stop using the heaters.
According to the joint press release, the units are gray-white in color and have the name "Lakewood" printed below the control panel. The affected units also have the model 5101 printed on them.
Lakewood reports that there have been 28 reported incidents, including a burn injury from "spewing oil". Affected consumers should call Lakewood toll-free at (888) 858-3506 to obtain a new heater.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Lakewood Engineering announced today that 70,000 oil-filled electric heaters are being recalled due to improper welding.
The company and federal agency advise consumers to immediately stop using the heaters.
According to the joint press release, the units are gray-white in color and have the name "Lakewood" printed below the control panel. The affected units also have the model 5101 printed on them.
Lakewood reports that there have been 28 reported incidents, including a burn injury from "spewing oil". Affected consumers should call Lakewood toll-free at (888) 858-3506 to obtain a new heater.
