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Show I I H , 2002 ' I 1 Thm ' 4 , rbiwmfopMMt FCC revisits its telemarketing rules by the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Federal Communications Commission Telemarketing has been around for decades, yet the last dozen years have seen an explosive growth in the number of daily solicitations, and fax as well now by as by telephone. The telemarketing industry has grown from a remarkable $435 billion in sales in 1990 to $600 billion in the last ye ar. But not all consumers are happy with these statistics. Examples of complaints filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are from a busy mom trying to home school her children during the week, but telemarketer calls constantly interrupt. An- other daughter complained that incessant telemarketer calls tie up the line so that she could not reach her elderly mother, whose fax line also bleated at 3 a m, with unwanted calls. According to K. Dane Snowden, Chief of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) at the FCC, consumers like these are complaining to the FCC about unwanted and uninvited calls from advertisers and telemarketers. 'Telemarketing is a legitimate means of reaching consumers. However, there are instances in where abuses adtelemarketing practices versely impact the consumer," Snowden says. Congress created the on the list and may not call for ten years. Violations of these rules can result in fines for the caller, Snowden says. Certain calls are exempt from many of the FCCs rules, including calls from companies with which the consumer has an existing business relationship and those from organizations, including many political organizations. To learn more, you can request a Fact Sheet from the FCC explaining the rules in detail by accessing the FCC website (www fee govcgb untax-exem- non-prof- it der Consumer Alerts and Fact Sheets) or by calling the FCC consumer centers at (TTY may also call this phone number or contact this website if you have questions or a complaint to file with a the FCC against telemarketer. You In addition, the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) sponsors the Telephone Preference Service, which mainlist. DMA tains a members are required to use this list. You can register for free by mailing your name, phone number, and signature in a letter to: DMA Telephone Preference Service, Box 643, Carmel, NY 10512.' Or fora $5 fee, you can register online at www.the-dma.orgc- gi offtelephonedave. Once you register, your name stays on this list for five years. Currently, the FCC is considering ways in which it can revise its telemarketing rules to adequately protect con- sumers' privacy. TCPA rules. You can file com- ments electronically or in writ- ten form on or before November 22. To file electronically, you must access the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System through the FCC's web site (www fcc.gove-fil- e ecfs.html). To file by paper, you can send your comment to the Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12m Street SW, Washington, DC 20554. Your comment must include the docket number (CG Docket No. for proper 02-27- t EXTRA! Fmgm 13 box Eider bugs,, the beasts of fall's beauty Fall is the season for all senses the rustling of leaves as they prepare to drop and by for a visit, but Box Elder bugs attend all events in return to the soil, the aroma of d apple cider and the feel of the crisp morning air. However, with the beauty this time of year also comes a beast Box Elder bugs. 'About this time of the year they seem to be everywhere, from the side of the house, to reclining in your favorite easy chair, says Jerry Goodspeed, Their life cycle starts in the droves spring when they deposit their eggs on female Box Elder trees, he says. The eggs hatch after a couple of weeks, and the small nymphs start feeding by sucking fluids out of the seeds, stems and foliage of the tree. The nymphs look like small adults, but are more red than black. As they feed they grow, going through several molts before becoming adults. freshly-presse- State University Utah Extension horticulturist. It wouldn't be so bad if just a couple of these pests dropped Continuation papa 16... filing. 'We encourage consumers on both sides of the issue to use the Commission's processes to be heard, Snowden summarizes. 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You don't have to go to Grand Junction steel culvertsl for corrugated We have 6"-24- culverts " IN STOCK! 8. mk; Sun "r Su- Butcher BoyMoab,Meat Processing 84532 (435) 1140 Wasatch ZZ I 'SSS CEsn Reliable, Friendly Service High Quality Equipment The Commission's rules attempt Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) in 1991 in reto strike a balance between to concerns consumer the rights and interests of the sponse about the increasing number consumer with legitimate of unsolicited telephone martelemarketing, Snowden to their calls homes, says. With the advent of new keting and the FCC created rules in technologies in telemarketing 1 992 to and as faxes implement the TCPA. such The FCC's TCPA rules 'autodialers, the FCC must prohibit telephone solicitation gauge whether its existing calls to your home before 8 rules maintain Liat balance or a m. and after 9 p.m. A telerequire augmentation. The FCC has asked for phone solicitor must give his name, the name of the entity comments on whether it for which he is calling, and a should change its rules that telephone number or address restrict telemarketing calls to contact that entity. and, if so, how. One possible Further, the rules require change being investigated is telemarketers to maintain a that of establishing a national list in addition to list, and as Snowden notes, consumers the lists maintained by some can get some relief by restates The FCC wants to hear questing to be placed on that The list. your comments on and sugcompany's te emarketei's must keep ycj gested changes to the cumet NOW OPEN M-- 9-1- am, 2 FRi TH 550 N. 2-- 6 pm; 2-- 9-1- 2, 6 Main, Moab 259-012- 3 Red Valley Chiropractic Care a Offering Complete Range of Chiropractic Sports Injuries Nutrition Orthotic Fittings Walk-in- s all Welcome for all major insurance carriers, Workman's Comp, Medicaid. 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