Smoking Everywhere Is Up To No Good Again

[its a no brainer]

I would like to apologize if I posted this in the wrong area but I am deeply concerned and I need to get our community involved. I just received this text message about 10 minutes ago from Smoking everywhere. I have never called Smoking everywhere in my life and I have no idea how they got my cell phone number. I called the number and I told them that they have to stop because this text could go to a minor & it would just make matters worse for us, Is this legal what they are doing ? if its not legal how can we get them to stop before its too late?

 

[Vocalek]

I HATE unsolicited text messages of any kind. It is illegal if you have registered your number on the national "Do not call" list.

I agree that this is a very misguided marketing method.

I know some people who will be quite displeased by this and have sent them a link to this post.

 

[D103]

I just e-mailed them a very pointed and angry notice. And if they get any of my info from this forum and text or e-mail me they will find themselves in another lawsuit - on the other side. Thank you "it's a no brainer" for your post and the head's up!!

 

[lorikay13]

hmmm...this is kind of scary....If you have never done business with these people then someone you DID do business with has probably sold your phone number on a list...? That is how these things happen,right? I would hate to think that any of the vendors ECF'ers do biz with would do this. Is there another way this could happen?

And yes...it's legal....IF you did business with a company that sells their client info and did NOT specifically tell them not to include you. Back in the day....and still even now...mail order (usps) catalougs did/do the same thing. Only now your supposed to have an opt out option. There is a national "opt out" registry whereby you can enter your cell phone number and for 1 year no one is supposed to be allowed to contact you with unsolicited messages like the one you posted. Just Google "opt out"...

Thank you for posting this...it is concerning. The exact kind of thing the FDA would love to sink it's teeth into!

 

[Poeia]

It's the Do Not Call Registry. You used to have to renew every year but it's now permanent. Register your land line and your cell phone. All legitimate telemarketers, research firms, etc. have to update their lists monthly so that's how long it takes to see a drop in calls.

There are exemptions:
1) Politicians - those computerized calls you get before an election aren't covered
2) Registered charities
3) Companies you've done business with in the last year. If you have a Visa card they can call you with all their wonderful programs they want you to buy. If you cancel your card today, they can still call you until May 2, 2011.

But that's not the real problem here. Cold calling people with an offer of a free nicotine product is idiotic and dangerous. Even if they did get it's a no brainer's name from a vendor he did business with (and therefore assume he is over 18), they don't know if that number is his alone or a family line. What if his hypothetical 12-year-old kid was the one to read that text and decided to get a Free* - Electronic Cigarette?

They're just playing into the hands of the people who want to ban e-cigarettes because they are marketed to minors.

 

[Kate51]

Poeia is right, You have the right to tell them to cease and desist, but it means a return call.
NO CALL works, with the exception of political or registered charitable organizations.
I agree, poor business. A good way to lose me as a customer. Another good piece of advice: NEVER go online to look for insurance, or a credit card!! You just won't believe the waves you can make doing that.