Telemarketing and violations of Wisconsin's "Do Not Call" law sit atop the list of consumer complaints again from the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP). In Wisconsin, we definitely value our privacy at home. This is great news that the law is working and the people of Wisconsin truly are receiving the benefit of strong telemarketing regulations. It also shows that as consumers we aren't going to take violations of the law sitting down. DATCP has made the complaint process easy for consumers and people know when they shouldn't be getting calls, all good consequences of the program which began in 2003 after a hard fight in the Legislature. I am proud that this bill still is serving the people of this state.
More and more people these days are forgoing a home phone number and using only a cell phone for all telecommunication needs. With this in mind, the "Do Not Call" legislation was amended in June 2008 to include cell phone numbers. The addition of cell phone numbers is just one more step in increasing consumer privacy in Wisconsin. I also am working to increase fines in an effort to give the law stronger enforcement.
Behind telemarketing violations in the DATCP list of complaints were landlord tenant issues, telecommunications violations, home improvement complaints, satellite dish, Internet service providers, credit cards, gasoline, motor vehicle repair and travel and tourism complaints round out the top 10. Wisconsin's Consumer Law Statute was one of the first in the nation and has been a model in nearly every state. Know that if you have a problem as a consumer you should contact DATCP and that you can file a complaint online 24 hours a day at http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/ .
Just a few reminders about the "Do Not Call" law; calls that don't ask for money cannot be covered because of freedom of speech, telemarketers must identify who they are so that consumers can tell if they are legal calls, non-profits like the Boy Scouts and Fireman's Benevolence Association are not covered by the law. Wisconsin residents need to sign up every two years to keep their registration in the "Do Not Call" list valid. If you are unsure when you need to sign up or are worried you might forget, I recommend that people mark their calendars to sign up every year just after the calendar changes in January. This way, you will never be without coverage. While you're at it, don't forget to mark Jan. 28 on your calendar is celebration of Wisconsin Data Privacy Day.
Sign up for the "Do Not Call" list today, online at http://nocall.wisconsin.gov/web/home.asp or by calling 1-866-9NO-CALL (1-866-966-2255) toll-free in Wisconsin. Don't forget to tell your friends and neighbors!
- Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, serves the 27th State Senate District.
More and more people these days are forgoing a home phone number and using only a cell phone for all telecommunication needs. With this in mind, the "Do Not Call" legislation was amended in June 2008 to include cell phone numbers. The addition of cell phone numbers is just one more step in increasing consumer privacy in Wisconsin. I also am working to increase fines in an effort to give the law stronger enforcement.
Behind telemarketing violations in the DATCP list of complaints were landlord tenant issues, telecommunications violations, home improvement complaints, satellite dish, Internet service providers, credit cards, gasoline, motor vehicle repair and travel and tourism complaints round out the top 10. Wisconsin's Consumer Law Statute was one of the first in the nation and has been a model in nearly every state. Know that if you have a problem as a consumer you should contact DATCP and that you can file a complaint online 24 hours a day at http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/ .
Just a few reminders about the "Do Not Call" law; calls that don't ask for money cannot be covered because of freedom of speech, telemarketers must identify who they are so that consumers can tell if they are legal calls, non-profits like the Boy Scouts and Fireman's Benevolence Association are not covered by the law. Wisconsin residents need to sign up every two years to keep their registration in the "Do Not Call" list valid. If you are unsure when you need to sign up or are worried you might forget, I recommend that people mark their calendars to sign up every year just after the calendar changes in January. This way, you will never be without coverage. While you're at it, don't forget to mark Jan. 28 on your calendar is celebration of Wisconsin Data Privacy Day.
Sign up for the "Do Not Call" list today, online at http://nocall.wisconsin.gov/web/home.asp or by calling 1-866-9NO-CALL (1-866-966-2255) toll-free in Wisconsin. Don't forget to tell your friends and neighbors!
- Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, serves the 27th State Senate District.
