Report Tells of 'Automated Sales Calls to Cell Phones'

September 23, 2005

A local TV news report that aired this week in Seattle during the Annual Call Center Exhibition warned viewers about telemarketers who "are making thousands of automated sales calls to cell phones, and you get charged for the airtime."

The KOMO-TV reporter then mentioned "how to make sure your cell phone is protected" during the broadcast's "buyer beware" segment. That was followed by a mention of "automated dialing systems, programmed to call your cell phone and leave recorded or text messages with a sales pitch."

The reporter then informed the audience that this practice is illegal.

That was followed by a mention of Verizon Wireless' decision to target Intelligent Alternatives of San Diego, and Resort Marketing Trends of Coral Springs, Fla. Verizon claims they made nearly 1.5 million unsolicited cell phone marketing calls and it is suing for up to $700 million in penalties, KOMO said.

The report continued by mentioning "a rash of cell phone violations is prompting e-mail alerts … warning that all cell phone numbers will be released to telemarketers within the next 31 days."

Viewers get a more complete explanation of what's going on a little later in the report when they learn that those e-mails are only partly true.

"Your cell phone number is not about to be released to telemarketers and there is no cell phone directory," KOMO said.

By Glenn J. Kalinoski, Executive Editor, Customer Inter@ction Solutions