I had my phone installed three weeks ago. It isn't even in the telephone book yet. Yesterday I got the first marketing call. I did put my number on the "Do Not Call List" after I got it but I am interested in the opinions of others about the ethics of selling our phone numbers.
2007-12-30 03:01:27 · 20 answers · asked by Clara 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
they can sell our numbers to telemarketers ... thats messed up!!!
2007-12-30 03:04:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, I worked for a telephone company for seven years and they never "sold" any of their customer's phone numbers to outside parties but always kept them in house. Your number can appear on telemarketing lists a number of different ways, if you ever sign up for any service, or apply for any type of contest, loan, etc. and include your phone number it can show up on a list. you've already done the correct thing and signed up for the National Do Not Call list, but that may take a month before you stop receiving calls. Why is it that you assume that it's the Telephone Company that's "selling" your number and that you didn't inadvertantly give it out in some other way, form or fashion? The phone company won't sell your number to anyone, the money they would make off of that weighed against you potentially putting yourself on the DNC list and their not being able to market to you after that would be counterproductive.
2007-12-30 03:08:29 · answer #2 · answered by jimstock60 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure if the company sells your phone number or not. But a Telemarketer can acquire a phone book and just go down the list starting at 000-0001, 000-0002 for example and eventually reach your number. Your number is not unique like a finger print is to you. several people have already had your number before you. that is maybe why you also get some wrong number looking for a certain person. Your best bet is when a telemarketer call comes thru pick up ant tell them to put you on a do not call list. If they keep calling then you call your phone company and tell them.
2007-12-30 03:10:17 · answer #3 · answered by Ham8888888888 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The personal details held by an employer for its employees should be protected by the Data Protection Act. You need to be certain that the information was given by somebody who has the information for business purposes only (such as manager, HR). I have the number of a few members of staff, which have been given to me on a personal level and so if I revealed them I would not be breaking the Data Protection Act, as I haven't gained them from the employer. If the information has come from your employer then you can try contacting the Information Commissioner's office for advice.
2016-04-02 02:05:54 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that the telephone company itself sells the phone number of their clients. It's the marketers who only dial it randomly or they are just guessing if that number is available or not. And once it rings, BINGO, they have to pass it to another.
2007-12-30 03:11:10 · answer #5 · answered by ~o0o~ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes the marketeers just dial every number in sequence, except those in the do not call list. They are not supposed to do this, but they can fool the system by doing it in random order. I think it is more unethical that they charge you to NOT LIST your name in the phone book. A complete scam.
2007-12-30 03:04:56 · answer #6 · answered by Bonkers! 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe that that is a most hateful practice among service providers. We chose to subscribe to their services and pay our bills they shouldn't make any more money off us by selling our information. When we filled up those application forms we were under the impression that the information we give them will be considered confidential. Even banks sell our information to credit card companies and you have to go out of your way to have your name removed from the list. They even have the gall to ask why I want my name removed from the solicitation list!
2007-12-30 03:08:43 · answer #7 · answered by reg 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is not and they should be fined up the gazoo for doing it. If anyone calls me other than invited businesses I report them to the attorney General and I tell them I am going to do it. They usually don't call back. If they do I press charges for phone harassment.
2007-12-30 03:05:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ethics and business are not a good match.
There are business ethics that need to be followed, but cutting off profits to make individual people feel better is not one of those.
2007-12-30 03:04:46 · answer #9 · answered by Stuart 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think it is unethical. We pay for phone service. Our agreement with the phone service provider does not include sales invasions.
Their argument would say "Well, the same agreement did not EXclude the marketing contacts, either!"
So, I think the opt-out should appear on the original service contract, don't you?
2007-12-30 03:05:25 · answer #10 · answered by Baloneyus_Monk 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Without a doubt, NO! I personally hate the phone companies and a lot of big businesses. They are notorious for trying to screw over their customers.
2007-12-30 03:04:05 · answer #11 · answered by Cipher 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋