Does anyone know if there is a way to get removed from all fundraising call lists?

Question

I receive several calls a day from multiple charities attempting to collect a "small" $15 donation (where they get the idea that $15 is nothing to most people is beyond me) and they don't accept no for an answer, especially the various police funds who actually become quite rude even after I explain why I am not able to donate at this time. They just call back the next day anyway. Apparently these organizations are exempt from the "Do Not Call Registry". Is there anything I can do to put an end to these calls completely? Please don't say "Just don't answer the phone" because the simple fact that my phone is ringing is disrupting enough. I also shouldn't have to turn off my ringer because then I might as well not even have a phone and there is no reason why the people who need to reach me throughout the day shouldn't be able to.

I have caller ID and an answering machine. I am not going to screen my calls. My family and friends shouldn't have to leave a message just so that I pick up the phone.

I am on the Do Not Call registry. Charities are exempt from the list which is why I am asking if there is a way to specifically get off of Fundraising lists. I also check all numbers on whocalled.us to see who it is when I don't answer. It seems to be the same 3 numbers calling several times each day. I've politely asked them all numerous times to stop calling.

Answer 1

The answer to your question is no. You may be able, with difficulty, to remove yourself from individual lists, but not from all. Here are some other tips:

1. The simplest solution is to simply hang up on them, especially if they are rude. You do not have to tell them why you are not donating.

2. I have started saying that I ONLY do business with organizations that do NOT make unsolicited telephone calls to me. This applies not only to fundraisers, but also to newspapers and various others. In 2006, I voted against two politicians because of their campaigns' excessive calls to me.

3. CallerID is a good suggestion.

4. In August, 2007, a telephone solicitor from PAL (the Police Athletic League) called, thanked me for contributing last year, and asked me to contribute again. I remember that I did not contribute in 2006, or at any other time (I make very few charitable contributions, and never during unsolicited telephone calls). I asked what address was listed on the prior contribution. He stated that a certain amount had been contributed last year by me and gave an address that was not my address until April 2007. This proves that I could not have made a contribution at that address a year ago. He lies in his soliciting, because a person is more likely to contribute if they are told that they have previously contributed, even if that is not the case. Had I believed him and deducted the past contribution on my taxes, I could have gotten into trouble with the IRS. If this were nearly any other charity, the remaining extent of the harm done by this fraud would be the financia! l losses suffered by persons who made donations under false pretenses. However, most persons are not aware that callers representing associations of law enforcement officers are professional telemarketers and are not police officers themselves. When such callers engage in any deception, it causes the public to believe that police are untrustworthy and dishonest. When witnesses and jurors think that police are liars, persons who commit serious, violent crimes cannot be convicted. In addition to bilking citizens out of their money, this dishonest telephone solicitation strategy also destroys the credibility of police.

All persons should be prohibited from making any untrue statement in order to obtain a donation.

Persons representing organizations of law enforcement officers (police, deputy sheriffs, etc.) should be required to clearly disclose at the start of each solicitation that they are not officers.

The website http://www.nationalpal.org/ says "Studies have shown that if a young person respects a police officer on the ball field, gym or classroom, the youth will likely come to respect the laws that police officers enforce." By employing a dishonest telephone solicitor, the organization has ironically caused persons to disrespect police officers and the laws that they enforce.

Answer 2

Report them to the state attorney generals office.

And remember most of those fireman and police funds, have no real connection to the fire or police dept. They are just collecting money.

Get an answering machine, $15 at Sears, that allows you to screen calls. If it's someone important then you pick up.

Answer 3

There has got to be a better way then just hanging up on them. I asked them for their phone number so I could call THEM when I decided to donate! Of course their answer was that they are not ALLOWED to give their number out. CLICK!

Answer 4

I temped at a fundraiser and a telemarketing firm. When you tell them not to call you they are supposed to check that option on their computer which then wipes out your number. I know this is idealistic but perhaps if you say that to everyone who calls someone will follow protocol and actually do it.

Answer 5

if you are having troubles with calls then get a caller id to see who is calling you. you answer the ones you want and ignore the rest.

best of luck.

Answer 6

When they call tell them that whomever they are asking for just died and start to sniffile and then tell them you are having a hard time coming up with funeral expenses and ask them for a donation.

Answer 7

put your phone number on the do not call registry.

Answer 8

Don't be polite, as soon as they start the spiel hang up...I used to try to say no thank you , but it's a waste of time...just hang up.

Answer 9

Just register your phone number here:
http://www.donotcall.gov

If they call after that you can report them and they'll get fined.