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Ask SAM
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Published: March 23, 2009
E-mail:AskSAM@wsjournal.com.
Online: www.journalnow.com/asksam.
Write: Ask SAM, P.O. Box 3159, Winston-Salem, NC 27102.
Q. Is it legal for companies to use voter-registration lists to make telemarketing calls? -- S.S.
A. Yes, it is perfectly legal for companies to call you based on information they obtained from the public-records portion of your voter registration. Public-record information can be accessed by anyone with a computer who knows how to obtain it.
Voter-registration information that is not available to the public includes your date of birth (although one's age is public record), your driver's license number and any Social Security information.
When you register to vote in Forsyth County, listing your phone number on your registration form is optional, and many consumer-advocate groups advise voters not to list their numbers.
"Even in this day and age of cell phones, it is very easier to obtain someone's phone number," said Rob Coffman, the director of Forsyth County Board of Elections. "Data-mining companies will sell that information to companies who want to market to individuals."
If a telemarketer calls you between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m., or calls again after you have asked to be placed on its do-not-call list, you can complain to the Federal Communications Commission.
The FCC handles complaints about telemarketing calls from within and outside the state that you live in. Call for instructions before filing a complaint: 888-225-5322. For more information, visit the FCC's Web site: www.fcc.gov.
The address is: FCC Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Consumer Complaints, 445 12th St. SW, Washington, DC 20554, or by e-mail at fccinfo@fcc.gov.
You can also register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov, or by calling 888-382-1222.
Follow-up
Last week, SAM wrote about how the Habitat for Humanity's ReStore will accept used tools and equipment for donation.
Kim MacPherson of the Children's Home sent in this message:
"Please add the Children's Home to your list of agencies that welcome all donated tools and garden equipment. Our kids are very involved in gardening and other vocational activities that allow them to learn life skills using many household tools. We are also interested in equipment that we can use on our farm."
The Children's Home is at 1001 Reynolda Road. The phone number is 721-7600.
Thanks
I want to thank the nice lady at the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles earlier this week. She gave my granddaughter $7 to get her license renewed. It was the granddaughter's birthday, and she had brought only $25 for the renewal. It's good to know that there are still nice people out there. -- C.F.
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