Many of our members like to shop by phone. Consumer and privacy advocates along with media and state officials addressed the ATA meeting, admitting that telefraud is becoming less of an issue. It is the consumer irritation and privacy factors that drive the legislation. Attendees viewed a variety of unflattering TV news, ad, movie and program clips. NBC investigative reporter Liz Crenshaw told ATA delegates that if people were not frequently calling her up to complain about telemarketers intruding on their lives, she would not be doing stories on the industry.
People are upset about telemarketers interfering with their precious family and personal time.
The associations believe that self-regulation is usually more effective and flexible than government regulation. Both the DMA and ATA have lobbyists and consultants. The ATA has an active network of volunteer state legislative coordinators. But there is a sense that the industry is not doing enough both visibly and behind the scenes to ward off harmful actions. What is needed is proactive work with consumer groups and legislators to correct the images that lead to new laws and regulations.