Junk Faxes
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Some time ago I discussed the problem of junk mail. This week
I would like to discuss Junk Faxes; you know, those irritating ads and offers
that propagate on our fax machines. First, I believe fax machines have outlived
their usefulness. Rarely do I ever use it, except for those obscure situations
when someone needs to send us something. Most of the time I am communicating by
e-mail or telephone. But even for a small company like mine I sure get a lot of
faxes. This is the main reason I no longer give out our fax number unless
somebody positively, absolutely has to send us something. Nonetheless, our fax
number inevitably gets on a mailing list and we suddenly get swamped with faxes;
seems like a waste of paper to me.
I don't know if you actually look at these junk faxes,
normally I don't, except to lookup a number at the bottom of the fax where you
can call to be removed from the sender's mailing list. Most of the time its a
toll free number, other times its a clever ruse to pay for a phone call. You
have to be careful.
I recently investigated this on the Internet and came upon an
interesting site called
"JunkFaxes.org" which gives some valuable tips on fighting off junk faxes.
For example, they list the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 ("TCPA");
let me read it to you:
"The TCPA (47 USC § 227), and its implementing FCC
regulations ( mainly 47 CFR § 64.1200) prohibits the transmission via facsimile
of any material advertising the commercial availability or quality of any
product, service or property to any person without that person's prior express
permission or request.
Under the (ACT) TCPA, recipients of unsolicited fax
advertisements can file suit in state court to collect the greater of $500 or
actual damages for each violation, and/or obtain an injunction (a single junk
fax can, and often does, contain multiple violations). If a court determines
that the violations were willful or knowing, the damages can be tripled at the
discretion of the court."
The web site also provides instructions for filing a complaint.
Well this sounds all well and good, but who is really going
to take the time to report some trivial faxes? Not many people that I know of;
not unless they are being bombarded by faxes every few minutes. Most people just
rip them up and throw them away, or call the fax removal numbers at the bottom
of the sheet. All the junk faxes do for me is push me a little closer to pulling
the plug on the machine altogether. If you really want to get hold of me, there
are basically two things you can do: give me a phone call (I am one of the few
remaining souls that don't believe in voice mail unless I am truly out of the
office), or send me an e-mail with an attachment. Otherwise, forget it.
About the Author
M. Bryce & Associates
(MBA) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the field.
He can be reached at
timb001@phmainstreet.com
For a listing of Tim's Pet Peeves, click
HERE.
Copyright © 2008 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.
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Article Published/Sorted/Amended on Scopulus 2008-03-06 00:05:11 in Computer Articles
