Many eager to join list blocking telemarketers

Published 5:00 am Thursday, July 3, 2003

Virginia Wooten had a simple reason for wanting to sign up forthe state’s new Do Not Call list for telemarketers.

“I’m tired of answering the phone,” Wooten said as she completeda form Tuesday during a sign-up stop at the government complex.

Wooten, of Brookhaven, said she was especially tired oflate-night telemarketing calls. She said she has caller ID butstill has to check when a call comes in.

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Also, Wooten said she used to work nights and would be annoyedby calls during the day shortly after getting off work. She saidshe was proud to have the Do Not Call list.

“This is going to be a big thing in my life,” Wooten said.

Wooten was among almost 250 people who signed up for the listTuesday during stops in Brookhaven at the government complex and atHudson’s.

Southern District Public Service Commissioner Michael Callahansaid commission staff members have been busy since Fridayregistering people for the Do Not Call list. The Do Not Call listlaw, which was passed during this year’s legislative session, tookeffect Tuesday.

“Everybody’s excited. Everybody’s tired of the telemarketingcalls,” Callahan said. “In my household, we’ve had some get abusiveand a little aggressive.”

Callahan said registrations have been averaging about 2,000 anhour, either over the telephone or via the Internet. He said thatwas a good, steady stream.

“It was our goal to tell everybody they did not have to all signup on the first day. We didn’t want a mad rush,” Callahan said.

The commissioner said some citizens do not like automated callsor do not have access to Internet. Therefore, he started the signup tour, and Brookhaven was the first stop.

“I just think some Mississippi people like that personal touch,”Callahan said.

Callahan said he and staff members planned to visit all 27district counties over the next month and a half. They planned tobe in Pike County Wednesday and in Walthall County Thursday from9:30 to noon at the courthouse in Tylertown.

“We’re going to take a break for the Fourth and then get back atit Monday,” Callahan said.

Callahan said enforcement will start on October 1. He said signup lists will be verified in September, and then the commissionwill get lists to telemarketers the last two weeks of thatmonth.

In addition to prohibiting telemarketing calls, the law sets upother rules as well, Callahan said.

Telemarketers cannot block Caller ID services. Also, they muststate their name and their company’s name when they call.

Calls can only be made Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. until8 p.m. and recorded messages are prohibited.

Exemptions to the law include most religious and charitableorganizations; licensed realtors, car dealers and insurance agents;newspapers, funeral homes and brokers; banks with locations inMississippi; and companies that have or have had within the lastsix months an established relationship with the call recipient.

“We are extremely pleased this day has gotten here,” said Dist.39 Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, one of the bill’s co-sponsors. “Of allthe bills in the legislature, this is probably one of the ones I’vegotten the most calls about. People want this bill.”

Callahan concurred with the sentiments of several people whosigned up Tuesday.

“I’m looking forward to the silence,” said attorney BobJones.

Others seemed equally glad to see an end to the telemarketingcalls.

“They’re just aggravating really,” said Billie Flynt, ofHazlehurst. “I’m retired and it’s constant, all day long.”

Flynt said she signed up for the federal Do Not Call list lastweek and tried to register for the state list earlier Tuesday usingher WebTV Internet connection. After being unsuccessful, shedecided to sign up in person while handling some business at thegovernment complex.

“This is the greatest thing that ever happened,” Flynt said.

Callahan said he was encouraging citizens to sign up for boththe state and federal Do Not Call lists.

“We hope at some point they will be merged,” Callahan said.

Callahan was hopeful the merger could be done by end of theyear, he said that would depend on computer compatibilityissues.

“That’s our ultimate goal,” he said.

Donald Cothern, of Brookhaven, said he did not like the randomnature of the calls.

“They don’t seem to have any particular time,” Cothern said.”They just call any time and won’t seem to take no for ananswer.”

Cindy Wilson, of Brookhaven, said she does not like to dobusiness over the telephone.

“It’s annoying,” Wilson said. “It’s about every other day we geta call concerning something.”

Kay Coon, who works in the sheriff’s department, did not sign upTuesday but said she planned to as soon as possible. She mentioneda recorded telemarketing call she received Sunday morning as shewas getting ready for church and lunch afterward.

“I just hung up,” Coon said. “Who wants to talk about yourseptic tank on a Sunday morning when you’re trying to get chickenspaghetti to the Baptist church?”

Callahan said he has received some complaints from companiesthat use telemarketing to promote their businesses and the impactthe Do Not Call list could have.

“It’s not our intention to put them out of business, but peopleare tired of it,” Callahan said.

The commissioner was pleased with the initial response regardingDo Not Call sign up. He expected more during participation duringsign up stops at more visible establishments like malls andbusinesses.

“I think we’ll see a whole lot more folks coming in to sign up,”Callahan said.