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Receiving Too Many Annoying and Unsolicited Phone Calls, Texts, Emails, and Marketing Ads?

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Mortgage and Lending with NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 IL Lic 031.0006220/WI

 

Receiving Too Many Annoying and Unsolicited

Phone Calls, Texts, Emails, and Marketing Ads?

 

 

No matter how many times we see them, the "Seinfeld Show" episodes continue to make my wife and me laugh.  Sometimes I think the familiarity of them contributes to the enjoyment we receive.  So many good family memories are attached to our watching and sharing the skits.

One such episode includes Jerry encountering a telemarketer's call.  It was a favorite of our youngest son, John ... 

 

 

While certain things within this clip are dated (landline phones, fashion, long distance service needs, etc.), the annoyance felt upon receiving marketing calls or communications is not.  


I've found that the number and frequency of these calls and communications have grown, as of late.  For me, they're a true indication of the health of the economy.  And that has a pro and con to it.  

Because of the number of calls I'm presently receiving, I know the economy has gotten better for many individuals and companies alike ... an obvious plus.  But receiving so many marketing calls?  A huge negative.  

Why?  They suck up valuable time and they're just plain annoying. 

But of even greater concern:  Unlike the telemarketing concerns Jerry faced as a consumer when this older sitcom was produced (only annoying), present-day consumers face far more serious issues when they receive calls from unknown numbers.  Scams and security concerns are now genuine and enormous.  

Consider the dilemma faced by those in a business service that relies on receiving calls and messages from new and (as-of-yet) unknown clients' numbers.  Staring at the faces of a ringing cell phone, they're left to wonder, "Marketing call, scam, or viable new client"?  It's kinda like playing Russian Roulette.

The number of calls, texts, emails, etc. I've received has grown so vastly that I decided to see what actions I could take to address the problem. Some articles I found online offered me some suggestions and solid solutions ... and hopefully some relief ... 

One of the articles I found directly addressed unknown numbers - phone calls from specific Area Codes.  The name of the article, "Maybe Don't Answer Calls from These Area Codes If You Don't Want to be Scammed", pretty much sums up the solution offered within the article.  Get to know the Area Codes on their list and avoid answering them and any scams they may contain.

Another way to alleviate the irritating phone calls (and unsolicited mail, email, and offers) is to sign-up on the "Do Not Call Registry".  (You receive a confirmation email soon after doing so.  Heads-up: There's a time limitation associated with the email.  You must "click" on the link provided within 72 hours of receiving it.  Otherwise, your registration won't be completed.)

 National Do Not Call RegistryYou can also call the "Do Not Call Registry" telephone number, 1.888.382.1222 to Register too.  Just make sure you call from the phone you wish to register. 

Each method mentioned above is quick and easy to do.  But be aware:  Registering won't eliminate every annoying and problematic communication.  It will reduce the number, however. 

Cell phone apps now exist that can address this problem too.  A "USA Today" article, entitled "Stop unwanted calls and texts from hitting your cell phone" touched upon some of the solutions now being offered via apps.  Just a word of advice concerning these apps, though ... read the fine print to see exactly what they are really blocking prior to downloading.  And if there's a cost to them.

Below are a few of the other solutions I found that might prove helpful in reducing or eliminating unwanted calls, marketing, and communications.  Again, it only takes a minute or two to visit the sites and register, so consider taking these measures.  

Consider registering at:

       To opt out for 5 years:  www.optoutprescreen.com or
       call 1.888.567.8688 (a toll-free #)

       To opt out Permanently:  www.optoutprescreen.com
       Note: You must SIGN and RETURN a Permanent Opt- Out Election                        Form after you have initiated the registry process online     

Businesses, charities, and others you have personally signed up with/provided rights to for emails, calls, marketing, etc., will not be affected by your registering with these services. But those others that continue to contact you after registration, should be reported.

To report and file a complaint regarding continuing unwanted calls and robocalls, go to:


To report and file a complaint regarding other continuing unwanted communications, you can contact:


Just a reminder concerning your own online and business email marketing efforts ...

 
Remember to include an "Unsubscribe" option within your marketing/email for your clients to exercise. It's the right thing to do. And keep the number of marketing "touches" you make reasonable. You don't want to find yourself/your business on any of the "Do Not" registries mentioned above. 
 
Hope the above proves useful ...






 
* Hoping to Buy or Refinance a Home in New LenoxWill County, or elsewhere in the Chicagoland area? Contact me! I'll put my 40+ years of Mortgage experience and expertise hard to work on your behalf. 
     I'm easily found at:

Gene Mundt
Mortgage Originator - nmls #216987 - IL Lic. 031.0006220 - WI Licensed
 
American Portfolio Mortgage Corp.
nmls #175656
 
Direct: 815.524.2280
Cell or Text: 708.921.6331
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Gene Mundt

 Mortgage Originator  -  NMLS #216987    

                                 IL Lic. #031.0006220  -  WI License #216987                                                                                                    

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Comments (13)

Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Gene love that Seinfeld clip!!  I'm with you on this one - we're getting so many ridiculous waste of time calls. It's annoying for sure.  Thanks for all the great tips!

Mar 10, 2017 10:29 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

I laugh every time I see tat clip and so want to use some of it.  The phone calls just show how useless the Do Not Call systems are

Mar 10, 2017 12:26 PM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
Admittedly the scammers seem to be able to stay 1 step ahead too often, Ed. But even if it catches only a few I consider it a help ...
Mar 10, 2017 06:47 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Gene... I seem to be inundated all of a suddent with spam calls and texts. It's absolutely unbelievable. Thanks for the list of place to register. Saving this post so I can go back. I've been using the Hiya app which seems to identify and block many such calls.

Mar 10, 2017 01:09 PM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
I'm glad you shared the name of your app, Nina .. Others can gain from it. Thank you
Mar 10, 2017 06:45 PM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Gene - There's a few of those suggestions I haven't tried yet, and I'll check them out, but nothing seems to work very well. The telemarketers stay one step ahead of us. Have a great weekend!

Mar 10, 2017 01:32 PM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
It's like playing whack-a-mole, Dick. Hit one ... 2 pop up. I am determined to keep trying
Mar 10, 2017 06:44 PM
Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

I have gone on that Don't Call Me list and it does nothing.  I am so tired of all the solicitation calls as well.   When will the madness stop!!!!

Mar 10, 2017 03:36 PM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
Complaints .. Complaints .. Complaints ... May be our only route, Belinda ... We have to flex our collective vocal chords??
Mar 10, 2017 06:42 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Gene, The number of calls and emails I get are over the top ... downright insane. It is a huge waste of time.  People do not unsubscribe me when I do unsubscribe. The do not call list is a joke.  I cannot even be nice to people any more.  I'm so tired of my day being interrupted by robo calls unwanted sales calls. 

Mar 10, 2017 05:38 PM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
I've noted that some sites don't seem to understand the meaning of "unsubscribe" too, Kathleen. Yet I don't feel I can't not fight back .. Somehow. Sorry to hear you suffer the same pains ...
Mar 10, 2017 06:40 PM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

It's a very frustrating problem, Anna .. If the info helps even a bit ... It was well worth sharing ...

Mar 10, 2017 06:50 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Think I get a couple of them now and then. But you have to just keep doing business really.

Mar 14, 2017 11:07 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

These calls have gotten so annoying. Many are about my credit cards balances which i have none. Since we are a military area and have so many area codes I try to answer then immediately block the spam calls.

Mar 15, 2017 01:48 PM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Gene

The question is does anyone respect the the Do Not Call guidelines?

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Mar 15, 2017 08:10 PM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi

From the replies and comments I've received here, there are some that do not Lou Ludwig ... 


Gene

Mar 16, 2017 09:42 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Hi Gene - yes, it is a real dilema when the phone rings but you made good suggestions such as getting to know the area codes.  I think the do not call registry is useless.

Mar 16, 2017 08:21 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi

Many agree with you, Grant Schneider ... but perhaps combined together all the suggestions remove some of the irritating overload of calls and emails? We can hope ...


Gene

Mar 16, 2017 09:43 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi - Your post is very timely and accurate! I hope it gets featured. 

It was in the months of November and December 2016 when I was being bombarded with the solicitation by phone. Before the 25th of December, I called my telephone company and was surprised how helpful they were helping me to make changes to my personal phone and other action items I could take to stop the madness. One of the things I did was contacted the "National Do Not Call Registry," and was surprised that I was already registered. Because I didn't turn them in and file a complaint previously, they continued. I can say that since then, my phone doesn't ring like that anymore. I do believe filing a complaint works because it has been quiet!

Gene, you also listed additional avenues a person can take which I didn't know about. I'm going to take your advice and follow the other links too. You really are a lifesaver, very educated, and helpful. I truly appreciate always learning something of value after reading your blog posts. 

Again, I hope this one gets featured!

Mar 25, 2017 10:40 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi

I'm so glad that you found some ideas with merit, Patricia Feager ... not much is more irritating than these pesky calls and communications.  I've had  others say that they had little improvement in their situation after registering with the Do Not Call Registry ... so maybe you have found the golden nugget and answer for us all.  Thank you for sharing your experiences.  I do so appreciate your support ... you're a born cheerleader!


Gene

Mar 25, 2017 03:35 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi - for me, it all boiled down to following up and making complaints. My telephone service company made adjustments on their end too, something I couldn't do. Another thing I did, per the suggestion of my phone company, was to stop answering the home phone and let the pests go into voicemail. After a short period of time, they'll stop calling and it has worked. I already knew that any family or friends knew how to reach me by cell phone, so it didn't bother me to shut off the ringer for awhile. So far, it's working! 

I can't wait for this one to get featured!!!

Mar 25, 2017 04:28 PM