A Persistent TELEMARKETER

Don’t: Hang up right away. The telemarketer will just call back until you actually talk to him or her. Don’t: Engage with the telemarketer in any way by asking questions or explaining why you're not interested in the product.

Do: Be polite. If the telemarketer is being rude, ask to speak to a supervisor.

Don’t: Say “This isn’t a good time.” That will only encourage the telemarketer to call back at another time.

Do: Ask to be put on the company’s do-not-call list.

Do: Sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov.

Bonus tip: If a telemarketer calls you by name, just say, “Sorry, wrong number.” The company will likely take you off the calling list because they’ll think the information profile is wrong.