Minnesota Consumer Rights Blog

There is nothing more frustrating than receiving one telemarketing phone call after the next. Many people receive as many as 10 calls per day.

If you find yourself in this position, the National Do Not Call Registry may be able to help. You can register online or via phone and get your number on the registry the next business day. While it doesn't take long to add your number to the National Do Not Call Registry, it can take up to 31 days for calls to stop.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce (DOC) recently issued a public warning intended specifically at senior citizens. In their statement, they warned them about cold callers who may try to reach out to them about a precious metals investment opportunity. DOC officials are warning that they've determined that it's a scam.

This latest consumer warning was issued after the DOC became aware that individuals who work for Metals.com, a precious metals company, had been calling seniors throughout the country.

When you take out a loan to purchase a vehicle, you agree to pay it back based on the terms and conditions of the agreement.

There are many situations in which your lender may consider its legal rights for repossessing your car. However, there are specific steps your lender must take, all to ensure that they're not violating the law.

If you have a telephone, which most people do, there's a good chance you have received at least one robocall this week. In addition to causing frustration, especially if you're in the middle of something important, robocalls are often designed to scam you.

Here are some of the many things you can do to protect yourself:

• Don't answer the phone: If you suspect a robocall, it's best to hit the ignore button or let it ring. In the event that you're wrong about the caller, the person can leave a voice message or try again later.
• Hang up the phone: If you answer a robocall and begin to hear a recorded message, such as a sales pitch, don't wait to hang up. Unless you have given the company written permission, it's illegal for them to call you. Even so, this alone is not enough to stop robocalls.
• Don't press any number: It sounds like a good idea to press zero for an operator, but this is actually a mistake. Telling a live person to remove you from their list is not going to do anything. In fact, it's more likely to lead to an influx of robocalls in the near future.
• Contact your phone provider: Most providers are able to block a number for you for free. You may even be able to do this yourself from your cellphone or online account. The only issue with this is that many robocallers change their information, thus allowing them to get in touch with you despite the block.
• Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC): You can do so online or via phone. This allows you to report the call, while also learning more about your legal rights. You may even pick up some advice for better dealing with these calls in the future.