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Senator Colapietro championed passage of the state’s ‘No Sales Solicitation Calls’ statute ten years ago in 2000, one of the first laws of its kind in the country and a model for the later federal ‘Do Not Call’ registry. Current law allows the state to impose fines for violations of the statute under the CT Unfair Trade Practices Act. The new legislation, Raised Senate Bill No. 187, would allow the state to impose an additional $11,000 fine. “’Do Not Call’ legislation has been very successful at both the state and federal level, but consumers still receive an unfortunate number of unwanted calls,” said Senator Colapietro. “There were 260 complaints about unwanted calls made to the Department of Consumer Protection last year, to say nothing of the calls that go unreported. Many of these calls are made to senior citizens, who are often targeted for scams. That’s wrong, and by increasing the penalties for ‘Do Not Call’ violations, we can help deter these con artists from claiming more victims.” Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said, “This legislation seeks stronger penalties to stop companies from making infuriating and invasive phone calls -- violating the do-not-call law by harassing consumers in their own homes. My office investigates countless complaints every year -- often taking action -- against companies that harass consumers with unsolicited and unwanted sales pitches by phone. Consumers deserve privacy and peace within their home, not power sales pitches and disrupted dinners. Connecticut’s do-not-call law -- among the first in the nation -- has been a powerful deterrent against harassing callers, but now deserves increased penalties to maintain effective strength and parity with federal law.” “I support this bill to enhance penalties for ‘Do Not Call’ violators because some telemarketers just won’t take ‘no’ for an answer and they need to realize there will be serious consequences for that willfulness,” Senator Prague said. “The sad truth is seniors in particular are so often targeted by aggressive telemarketers even after they conscientiously sign onto the ‘Do Not Call’ registry and I find that practice completely reprehensible.” “These unwanted telephone calls are a real burden for senior citizens that no one should have to deal with, particularly the phone scams that prey on honest people. I hope this bill—by increasing the consequences of breaking the law—can help make these calls much less common and remove the hassle from people’s already busy lives,” said John Hartman, Past President of Advocates for Bristol Seniors. Consumers who have registered their phone number with either the state or federal Do Not Call lists are automatically enrolled on both. Registration on both lists is free and does not expire. Mobile phones and fax machines may also be registered. To register a telephone number, consumers may call the state Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) toll free at (800) 842-2649 or visit their website at http://www. state. ct. us/dcp/. Alternatively, one may contact the Federal Trade Commission at (888) 382-1222 or online at http://www. donotcall. gov/. In both cases, calls must be made from the telephone number to be listed. In order to make a complaint about a violation of either the state or federal statute, consumers may fill out a form on the DCP website at http://www.ct.gov/dcp/cwp/view.asp?a=1629&q=285064. Consumers may also file a criminal complaint against telemarketers whom they feel are harassing them by contacting their local law enforcement agency. © Copyright by ConnecticutPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of ConnecticutPlus.com, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar. CURRENT HEADLINES: Top of Page
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