by David Horowitz for Consumer Connection
Where do we stand on "fighting back!" against junk faxes?
Originally, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 banned transmission of unsolicited advertisements to fax machines. A few faxing "big buys" got caught and were forced out of business. but most other junk faxers simply picked up their equipment and crossed the border beyond the reach of federal laws.
Congress disappointed consumers and sided with the ad industry in implementing the nonsensical "Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2005." It actually watered down the Federal Communications Commisison's (FCC) 1991 regulation by permitting ads to be faxed by any company with which a consumer has an "established business relationship."
That relationship can mean almost anything, including a phone call to inquire about business hours. Frustrated consumers have tried lodging complaints with the FCC, but according to those who have tried this remedy, it isn't effective. In fact, despite more than 100,000 junk-fax violation complaints filed in a recent 12-month period, the FCC issued fewer than a few hundred citations.
Some experts suggest simply unplugging your fax machine. That will solve the problem, unless, of course, you need to keep your fax machine on in order to conduct business.
Get real! Our representatives in Congress need to protect consumers with a law that works!
Comments(3)