Senior Spotlight
By John Toscano

Pataki Says State’s ‘Do Not Call’ Program Is Still Operating

Although the federal "Do Not Call" program is presently surrounded by some controversy, Governor George Pataki advises that New York state is going ahead full throttle with its program banning telemarketers from making unwanted telephone sales solicitations to New York residents whose names have been put on the state "Do Not Call" list.

Pataki and state Consumer Protection Board Chairperson Teresa A. Santiago said the legal controversy over the federal law will not keep the state from enforcing its own law.

"The New York State Do Not Call law remains in effect and we fully intend to enforce it," the governor said. "This important measure is now helping to protect more than three million New Yorkers from unwanted sales calls, and any telemarketers who choose to violate it will face stiff penalties [$5,000 for each illegal sales call].

"By educating the industry on Do Not Call compliance and our strong enforcement of the state Do Not Call law, we have significantly reduced telemarketing sales calls to millions of New Yorkers while still allowing businesses to appropriately market their products and services."

Santiago explained that to remain in compliance with New York law, telemarketers must abide by the "Do Not Call" numbers supplied by both the state Consumer Protection Board (CPB) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Thousands of telemarketers, she said, purchased Do Not Call numbers, including 3.8 million from New York state, from the national FTC "Do Not Call" Registry compiled prior to court rulings against the national list.

"They have the numbers and we expect telemarketers not to call New Yorkers unless they want to run afoul of the New York state law," Santiago said.

Violations of the state "Do Not Call" law may be reported to the CPB at 1-800-697-1220 or over the Internet at www.nysconsumer.gov.

Pataki declared, "I promised strong enforcement of the Do Not Call law when it went into effect more than two years ago and we have successfully blocked at least half a billion sales calls in that time. Our success here is a big reason why the federal government is launching its own ‘Do Not Call’ program."

The governor said he welcomed the decision by the Direct Marketing Association, an industry trade group, to ask its members to abide by the national "Do Not Call" registry while the legal issues are being resolved in court.

Santiago said the CPB is continuing to enforce the state ban. The CPB has settled telemarketing complaints against 59 companies who have agreed to pay a total of $8,35l,660 in settlement payments.

"We have reached the largest number of settlements in the country," Santiago said. "With these agreements, more companies are now complying with the state ‘Do Not Call’ law and that means fewer telemarketing calls to the homes and cell phones of New Yorkers."

REMINDER: The city Department For the Aging (DFTA) will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, October 28 from 10 a.m. to noon at Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 Queens Blvd., Kew Gardens, Room 213, to hear the views of seniors and others on issues concerning older New Yorkers. To register to make a five-minute presentation, call the DFTA Planning Unit at 212-442-0960 by next Tuesday, October 14. The hearings are open to the public.

COUNTERFEIT DRUGS: The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a report last week warning that counterfeit drugs made by criminals are a growing threat to American consumers. The agency outlined ways it is fighting the threat, including hidden tracking devices and markers.

The drugs sold are worthless and have no medicinal value. Besides government high-technology methods of detecting the fraudulent sales, the FDA describes ways consumers might detect the fakes. Be on the lookout, the FDA says, for changes in packaging when you pick up one of your regular prescriptions or over-the-counter products. Look for a change in taste, color or shape or unanticipated side effects.

Counterfeiters, the FDA says, concentrate on the most expensive drugs, so be careful in purchasing these. If you buy drugs online, look for a seal saying "Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites." If you suspect a drug is phony, return it to your pharmacist. The FDA has set up a number, 800-332-1088, to report suspicious drugs.

MEETING: AARP Chapter No. 2889 will meet next Wednesday, October 15, at 12:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Newtown, 54-05 Seabury St., Elmhurst. Comedian Irwin Pfeffer entertains with "Story Telling With A Smile."