Negative Perceptions and Criticism
See also: Telemarketing fraudTelemarketing has been negatively associated with various scams and frauds, such as pyramid schemes, and with deceptively overpriced products and services. Fraudulent telemarketing companies are frequently referred to as "telemarketing boiler rooms" or simply "boiler rooms". Telemarketing is often criticized as an unethical business practice due to the perception of high-pressure sales techniques during unsolicited calls. Telemarketers marketing telephone companies may participate in telephone slamming, the practice of switching a customer's telephone service without their knowledge or authorization.
Telemarketing calls are often considered an annoyance, especially when they occur during the dinner hour, early in the morning, or late in the evening. Another, potentially serious side-effect of "nuisance" telemarketer calling is that it prompts some exasperated people to begin only answering calls from numbers that they actually recognize on their caller-ID displays, preventing emergency calls and calls from loved ones using pay-phones or someone else's phone from getting through, as well as other legitimate calls made by "unknown but honest" persons who are calling for the first time, such as new acquaintances or responders to a classifieds ad.
Some companies have capitalized on these negative emotions. Since 2007 several forums have sprouted and act as complaint boards where consumers can voice their concerns and criticism. In response some telemarketing companies have filed law suits against these portals. The current legal system in the U.S grants such forums a certain degree of protection through "Communications Decency Act, 47 U.S.C 230" and California's Anti-SLAPP law.
A recent trend in telemarketing is to use robocalls: automated telephone calls that use both computerized autodialers and computer-delivered pre-recorded messages in a sales pitch. These often include intentionally deceptive tactics, with computer recorded messages saying things like "Don't panic but this is your final notice" or "We have already attempted to contact you through the mail." These messages are often outright lies, intended to incite concern or fear in the potential customer.
Robocalls are known for failing to add numbers to their do-not-call list and repeatedly interrupting individuals at all hours of the day.
Read more about this topic: Telemarketing
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