DEAR SUN SPOTS: We look for you for a lot of answers that you give. We do not know if anything can be done for this problem, which we are sure every home that has a regular phone is bothered with. I am talking about robocalls. Why can’t the government put a stop to these?

We get them seven days and nights a week, up to 9 p.m. We have Caller ID and an answering machine. It rings four times, and it hangs up. Calls come from a lot of states.

Thank you. — Faithful Readers via email

ANSWER: The Federal Trade Commission is trying to stop them and is making some progress, but the calls cost almost nothing to make, are usually computer generated and don’t necessarily even originate from the United States.

The people that answer when you stay on the line have no authority — or even any way — to take you off the call list. Your best option is to simply hang up without saying anything.

Sun Spots knows that is difficult to do. There is something about human nature that makes us want to connect even when there’s nothing on the other end but a malevolent computer voice.

For other possible suggestions, Sun Spots emailed Jeff Nevins, spokesman for FairPoint Communications in Maine and New Hampshire, who wrote: 

“We can block individual numbers, but it’s really not practical to block calls from different telemarketers, and there are better ways to handle them. If the call is harassing in nature and coming from a single number, the person should notify law enforcement and call us to have that number blocked.

“Remember, if they are not a FairPoint customer, we cannot help them. We can only advise them on what to do and they should call their service provider.

“One thing a person could do is get Caller ID and monitor their calls and not answer those numbers they don’t recognize.

“Another important thing they can do is register with the Federal Trade Commission’s National Do Not Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov. They can ask the telemarketer to be removed from their database and instruct them to not call anymore. (Readers without computers can call call 888-382-1222 from the phone they wish to register.)

“If they get calls, tell the telemarketers they are registered and to not call them anymore. They also can file complaints at the same link, www.donotcall.gov. Always helpful to tell them you will file a complaint if they do not adhere to your request.

“Because this is an election year, people may see more than the normal number of telemarketing calls. The best way to deal with this situation is to manage your phone, screen calls via Caller ID and make sure you register with the Do Not Call list. 

“I have also noticed when you answer a telemarketer call there is usually a delay (because the calls are generated by a computer database, not hand-dialed), and I just hang up if they don’t come on immediately.”

Jeff’s comments reminded Sun Spots that both charitable request and political calls are exempt from the Do Not Call list. Since this is an election year, get ready for the onslaught.

If you buy a cordless phone with Caller ID in the handset, at least you won’t have to get out of your chair to hang up on the calls.

Sun Spots is extremely sympathetic. She is sick to death of all the annyoing, inconviently timed calls. At least it is still illegal to call cellphones. In 2013 the Federal Communications Commission upgraded its rules to require “express written consent” from cellphone owners who wish to receive telemarketing calls. You can read about that rule at www.copilevitz-canter.com/resources/articles/upcoming-fcc-rule-changes-regarding-express-consent-to-call-cell-phones/. 

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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