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A couple of weeks (or so) ago, my phone rang. I picked it up to hear a

The TRx Phone Recorder from NCH Software is an interesting piece to add to your arsenal. The short story is that it is a phone call recordeing program for your Windows PC or for your Mac (OS X).

Schumer Calls for Probe Into Phone Spam

Scamming 'Your Warranty Will Expire' Calls Lead to Lawsuits

Telemarketers routinely call businesses that may require ink or toner cartridges, and will say that they want to confirm the type of printer being used by the company. At times, they will bluff about having a record of the company’s printer, as if the company already has dealt with the telemarketer before, then drop a popular name brand such as Hewlett Packard. Once the telemarketer is able to confirm the type of printer used by the company, they then hang up – as if there was never really any intention to sell.

Amy Whiteman, 27, wanted to have extra assurance that she could get her 2000 Chevy S-10 pickup repaired if it broke down. She regularly drives from her home in Clarkston, Mich., to Wayne State University in Detroit, where she is taking courses toward a master’s degree.

There's a demographic that on a daily basis is publicly ridiculed, maligned, and verbally battered by strangers. No, I'm not speaking of an ethnic group or minority ... I am referring to telemarketers. Those people who interrupt our meals while reading off of laminated "scripts" in a desperate attempt to sell us things we usually don't need.

Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller today issued a warning to consumers about the dangers of calls coming from auto-dialers, also known as “robo calls,” offering extended auto warranties.

Zoeller's Consumer Protection Division is investigating calls that violate state telephone privacy laws.

“These calls are clearly violating our state and federal telephone privacy laws and we plan to take action against the companies who are invading Hoosiers’ privacy,” Zoeller said in a prepared statement issued Tuesday. “Consumers can aid in the investigation by reporting the details of the calls and the phone numbers when possible.”

Zoeller's office received over 100 complaints from residents receiving intrusive, automated calls on their cell phones from a company offering extended warranties for a vehicle the consumer owns. The telemarketers lead the consumer to believe they are affiliated with a car manufacturer, when in fact no relationship actually exists.

“We are responding to consumer complaints relating to calls that violate the state’s telephone privacy laws,” said Abby Kuzma, Deputy Attorney General and Director of the Consumer Protection Division. “We have received over 100 recent complaints and are aggressively investigating the source of these calls.”

Zoeller's office recommends Hoosiers register their phone numbers on both the Indiana ‘Telephone Privacy List’ as well as the National ‘Do Not Call’ registry so people are protected on multiple fronts.

The Indiana Telephone Privacy List prohibits all telemarketers from calling Indiana phone numbers on the list with the exception of licensed insurance agents, licensed real estate agents, charitable organizations and newspapers. The list is updated quarterly and five numbers can be registered at one time.

The National Do Not Call registry is updated daily and provides telemarketers up to 31 days to revise their lists. The Federal Communication Commission strictly prohibits telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers.

For a complete list of frequently asked questions and to register on the state’s Telephone Privacy list, go to www.IndianaConsumer.com or call 1-888-834-9969. For information and to register on the National Do Not Call registry, visit www.donotcall.gov. To report a complaint, visit www.IndianaConsumer.com or call the consumer protection hotline at 1-800-382-5516.

Folks, your feelings of frustration, sense of violation and cries of desperation came through to me loud and clear.

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued its 2008 list of the 12 most egregious tax schemes and scams, highlighted by Internet phishing scams and several frivolous tax arguments.