Election season has apparently spawned a slick new way for telemarketers to get around the “Do Not Call” registry — hiding a timeshare sales pitch behind a phony political poll, say critics.
With telemarketers barred from robo-calling people on the “Do Not Call” registry, a new phone campaign called “Political Opinions of America” offers a three-question “poll,” and then offers a reward that sounds suspiciously like a classic timeshare sales pitch. An automated voice asks the recipient to complete a quick survey with questions like: “What’s the most important thing to restore our economy?” Other questions include: “How would you rate the job that President Obama is doing?”
After answering, the user is transferred to a live operator from “corporate travel services” who is giving away free cruises thanks to an anonymous donor. The offer allows up to four free guests and requires a $60 per person “port fee” to be secured by a credit card.
Critics say it is a scam.
“We believe these companies make unsolicited calls, purportedly as a political opinion poll being conducted by ‘Political Opinions of America,’” says a statement on the website of Shapiro Haber & Ermy, a Boston law firm that is preparing a potential class-action lawsuit against Florida-based The Berkley Group, which is behind the campaign. “Then, one is offered a ‘free’ cruise, which is really designed to expose people to sales pitches for vacation timeshares. If you received such a call, you may have a claim against these companies, whether or not you paid them any money.”
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4 Responses
I wish all of these tzedakah organizations and other frum organizations were subject to the Do Not Call Registry as well. There is nothing worse than 15 calls over a 24 hour period for the chinese auction you already submitted for…
The “Do Not Call” registry is a joke.
I’m on the list, but still get calls from companies trying to sell me credit services, chimney repair, etc.
Of course all the non-profits, i.e. Yeshivas, tzedaka organizations, which can call legally are also a nightmare.
The overwhelming majority of calls that come in everyday are these types of calls (legal and illegal).
I make it a policy not to respond to any of these calls regardless as to who calls. (I get plenty of regular mails which I open and respond to some.)
And the worst is whoever those shouters are who call before almost every Chinese Auction to scream that I only have x hours/days left. It seems that most companies just ignore the list, figuring who’s going to press charges?
we should approach our council people for a resolution or at least help in finding a solution to this problem which is getting worse and worse.