Senator Don White Denounces Misleading Robo-Calls

Urges residents to enroll in PA’s “Do-Not-Call” program

After receiving numerous complaints from irate constituents who were awakened early Sunday morning by automated calls from a “Jim White” promoting financial services, State Senator Don White (R-41) wants to make it clear that neither he nor anyone from his office was associated with the irritating, irresponsible calls.

“To be perfectly clear, I do not know a “Jim White”, nor am I associated with his organization in any way,” Senator White said. “I am extremely disgusted to learn of many residents receiving repeated calls in the early hours of Sunday morning. Such activity goes way beyond bad taste and abysmal business sense – it is plain and simple harassment. I feel badly many people thought the calls were associated with me and my office because of the similar names.”

Senator White urges all local residents to make sure their registrations under Pennsylvania’s “Do-Not-Call” program are up to date. Consumers have been able to register for the popular program since Sept. 15, 2002. Since registrations are for a five-year period, anyone who registered prior to October 2004 must re-register their phone numbers.

New registrations and renewals of existing registrations for the “Do-Not-Call” list may be made by either calling a toll-free number 1-888-777-3406 or online at: dnc.attorneygeneral.gov/Register.aspx

Senator White is a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 304, a measure providing for lifetime registration in the program which passed the Senate in April and is now before the House Consumer Affairs Committee for consideration.

Under Act 24, 2002, a measure strongly supported by Senator White, telemarketers are prohibited from calling any residential or cell phone subscriber whose name, address and telephone number are on the "Do-Not-Call" list. A violation of the law carries a civil penalty of up to $1,000, or $3,000 if the person contacted is age 60 or older.

Complaints against a telemarketer in violation of this law should be filed with the Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-800-441-2555, or by Filing a Do Not Call complaint online at: dnc.attorneygeneral.gov/Verification.aspx

Contact:

Joe Pittman
(717) 787-8724