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February 01. 2016 12:01AM Since You Asked: What's to be done about all these marketing calls? Can you please tell me how I can stop receiving unsolicited phone calls? We have caller ID, which means we can often see the number that is calling. Sometimes it is announced as "out of area" or some unfamiliar name like "Pico SW." We have been put on a nationwide "do not call" list, but this seems to make no difference.  On Jan. 4, we received 29 calls in which no message was left, and by 3:30 p.m. Jan. 5, we received 21. Usually I ignore a call unless I recognize the number (or area code) or when someone starts leaving a message. I have blown whistles into the mouthpiece. I have picked up the receiver and immediately hung up. I have picked up and left the phone off the hook, but I usually just ignore the calls unless I have become sick and tired of the phone ringing and have just gotten really frustrated. We usually get between 9 and 12 of these calls a day. Any suggestions? — Cora, no location given   Hold the phone: you've blown a WHISTLE into the mouthpiece? That's pretty hardcore, Cora.  A gentler approach would be to hold the receiver up to a speaker playing Adele's "Hello." But maybe you've tried that.  Seriously, whistles?  Anyway. In all seriousness, if you don't want telemarketers calling, they can't under the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act. According to the Federal Communications Commission's website, if you get on a do not call list, telemarketers have 31 days to remove your number from their lists and stop calling you.  Nonprofits are exempt from this.  Sounds like you're on that list already, but just in case, you can either register online at www.donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222 (voice) or 1-866-290-4236 (TTY). You have to use the phone you want to register during the call. You can also file an additional registration through the state. There's also a way you can blow the whistle on these folks that doesn't require you to do it literally into the phone. To file a complaint, visit  https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=39744 or call  1-888-225-5322. You can also send your complaint through the mail, if that's your style: Federal Communications Commission, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division, 445 12th St. S.W., Washington, DC 20554 All of this information can be found online at www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/unwanted-telephone-marketing-calls .  Good luck. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20160201/NEWS/160209996 © 2016 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->