Consumer Protection Commish Investigating Warranty Calls

HARTFORD — In recent weeks, many Connecticut consumers have received unwanted cellphone calls from telemarketers pitching extended auto warranties.

“Don’t fall for it,” Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell, Jr, said of the calls. “Consumers are often fooled by the pitch — ‘Your warranty is about to expire, this is your last warning, this is a final offer.’ Extended warranties are contracts, and any consumer who is interested in such a program needs to see it in writing and should not make a decision on the phone.”

Cmmsr Farrell said his department is investigating the recent rash of unwanted calls to consumers.

“Connecticut was one of the first states to implement a no call registry before it became part of the national Do-Not-Call effort, and we vigorously pursue companies that violate Connecticut law,” Mr Farrell said.

If your number is listed on the Do Not Call registry, automated, recorded messages also violate the Connecticut No Call law.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cellphone numbers. Because automated dialers are standard in the industry, most telemarketers are thus prevented from calling consumers on their cellphones without their consent.

However, cellphone numbers that are not registered are fair game for telemarketers, as long as an automatic dialer is not used, so consumers looking to eliminate telemarketing calls should register both their cell and home phone numbers on the Do Not Call Registry.

There is no special Do Not Call list just for cellphones. Personal cellphone users have always been able to add their numbers to the National Do Not Call Registry — the same registry consumers use to register their land lines.

To list your home and cell phone numbers on the Do Not Call Registry, visit www.donotcall.gov online or call toll-free 888-382-1222 from the telephone number you wish to register. Registrations become effective within 31 days of signing up.

There is no cut-off date or deadline for registrations.^