Two, three, four, five times each day I get the same robocall, cell phone and land line. Here’s the text of the message.
Permanently reducing your electric bill up to 60% through the US renewable energy program. The US renewable energy program will stop the 14% rate increase on your electricity bill coming soon. Press one now if you are a homeowner and are paying more than $150 per month for electricity. Press one now to stop the electricity bill increase coming soon. Again, press one now if you are a homeowner and pay more than $150 per month for electricity and would like to stop the rate increase ,and if we have reached you in error and you want to be taken off the list press three.
The “Do Not Call” list doesn’t stop these guys, and it seems that NoMoRobo is playing whack-a-mole as the robocaller switches sending numbers.
While I can understand that it’s tough to stop “Power Washing Kevin” from filling voicemails with his advertisements, aren’t electric providers regulated by the state? Shouldn’t there be some sort of leverage that the state could use to stop robocall solicitation for electric generation companies?
Maura, can you help?
Here is the URL to report these calls directly to the Federal Trade Commission:
https://complaints.donotcall.gov/complaint/complaintcheck.aspx
It takes about 30 seconds to make a report. If the FTC gets enough complaints for all these businesses that ignore the DNC List then they will have to do something. I report each and every call I receive.
So far as I know, there is no reason to expect these calls to originate in MA.
I suspect this will require federal action. The feds are notoriously reluctant, slow, and ineffective at managing this sort of nuisance.
I agree the calls are not originating in Massachusetts, but they are (allegedly) selling a provider regulated in Massachusetts. If you have a provider selling electricity in Massachusetts, it is that commodity that brings regulation to the table. I would think the AG would be able to disqualify the provider who is behind these robocalls.
Also, regarding “do not call” lists and such, note that the existing laws are chock-full of exceptions and loopholes. It would not surprise me if an investigation will find that these are perfectly legal under current regulations.
For example:
I got that call twice today (so far). The call also referred to the “recently passed” American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – that is the official name of Obama’s first year stimulus, right? There should be a universal code you can punch in during a recording that sends the message to permanently remove you from their lists. I doubt this constitutes the political, charity, or survey exception.
I think the short version of the answer to Pablo’s question goes something like this.
Electricity providers are not regulated by the Commonwealth as a utility. It’s the distribution monopolies that are subject to regulation.
The deal they enter into is with the customer. State laws actually require the regulated distribution utility to carry these electrons, so there is no regulatory angle there. Or if there is, it is not at all straightforward.
I hate the answer.
Is there a legislative remedy?
Comcast is now giving “nomorobo” to all of its subscribers. It does work 95% of the time. Robo and scam calls have disappeared from our home. I recomment it; and it is free.))))
I use NoMoRobo on my cell and landline. These electric scammers (spoof and) change their numbers often enough to defeat the system on a regular basis.
How does this work? I’m a Comcast customer. Do I need to request or sign up for it somehow?
Click on the “accunt” icon at the top right of the infinity home page. I think the sign-up is on the left side of that page.
oops, mh error. The “account” is on the left side of the home page.
Re remedy: The only possible one is legislative, Write your own, but don’t expect much action from either chamber on this.