As I sat and struggled with writers block the phone rang. Looking for relief from the cramp in my brain I answered to hear an automated voice on the other end “We are conducting a forum on...” Click, lost my attention...bye, bye.

Fast forward a few minutes and I’m still contemplating on what to write. I walked away from my computer to have lunch and the phone rang, I answered. Again another automated voice this time saying, “We are calling regarding your credit card”...Click,  I’ve listened to that before and they are not my credit card company... go away.

A third unrecognizable number followed a short time later, I didn’t answer. I figured at this point there must be some collective conspiracy to drive a blocked writer mad and distract her from her goal to finish her column! Then it dawned on me, “Didn’t I place my name and numbers on the National Do Not Call List?”

Some time back my numbers both work and personal were very popular. Surveys, credit card scams,  charitable agencies soliciting for dollars or promoting their lotteries, political candidates pretending like they care about my opinion and trips and prizes I have mysterious won if I just do this or that; it was all too annoying. Somebody told me about the no call list so I jumped on board. Feeling quite confident I had stamped out most of the pesky callers, I was no longer suspicious when the phone rang. Apparently there is a glitch in the system. I should have suspected as much as we are using a free service the Government is providing.

Researching the program I discovered “exemptions” which may explain why real or automated voices are still managing to disturb my peace. Some of the above mentioned callers: Charities, Politicians, Opinion polls, Circulated newspapers and some Businesses can obtain consent. It was also noted that for a fee they could get access to the Do Not Call List, what’s up with that?

If you do get an actual person you can ask them not to call, but if not, well you get the picture. I have some restraint when dealing with a live person but I hate automated voices! When phoning a business for service there has been the odd occasion when I have yelled into the phone; frustrated by the constant transferring around to inappropriate departments. One time, I yelled so loud the automated voice shorted out or something because for a moment there was dead air and I thought “Great! Now I have to phone back and go through this all again”, pleasantly of course, so as not to fry its connection.

With today’s calls I wondered what their success rate is. If most people are like me and hang up two seconds into their spiel is it an effective tool? I guess it must be adequate because I’m getting plenty of interruptions and obviously can’t rely on my Governments defence against telemarketers to protect me. Still, if that phone rings one more time in the next hour I am going to be upset, somebody or some thing is going to hear, ”I’m trying to write here, don’t call me!”

Put your name on the list:

USA- Do Not Call Registry

Canada- National Do Not Call List