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Thwart robocalls, win $50,000 from the FTC

By tovarichpeter   Follow   Fri, 19 Oct 2012, 6:54pm   325 views   4 comments
In South San Francisco CA 94080   Watch (0)   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (1)   Dislike  

http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-ftc-robocalls-challenge-prize-20121019,0,5995781.story

The contest is the FTC’s latest attempt to stem a skyrocketing number of robocalls, which too often ring through when dinner’s on the table. In July, the agency announced that complaints about automated calls had soared to 212,000 last April, compared with 65,000 in October 2010.

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1. curious2 Follow Befriend (5) 31 threads 2,253 comments Premium

   1   7:56pm Fri 19 Oct 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   "The FTC Robocall Challenge asks for a way to block the calls on land lines and cellphones. Groups of up to 10 people can enter to win the $50,000 prize and a free trip to Washington, D.C. Groups of more than 10 can win an award but no prize money or trip. Each entry will be judged on three criteria: Whether it works, whether it can be rolled out, and whether it’s easy to use. The winner will keep intellectual property rights to the idea, the FTC said. But the agency will have the right to promote the solution and feature it on the website for up to three years after the contest ends. Submissions should include a name, a description, an image and a short video uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo that demonstrates how the solution would work. The contest is open to all adult U.S. citizens, and there is no limit to the number of entries per person. The FTC is accepting applications Oct. 25 to Jan. 17. Winners will be announced in April." Read more here: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/10/robocalls3.shtm Enter here: http://robocall.challenge.gov/

2. HEY YOU Follow Befriend (4) 334 threads 919 comments

   2   9:40pm Fri 19 Oct 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   We need a solution. I don't know how to hang up.

3. elliemae Follow Befriend (25) 413 threads 6,982 comments Saint George, UT elliemae's website

   3   10:52pm Fri 19 Oct 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   HEY YOU says We need a solution. I don't know how to hang up. I agree. We need a way to end robocalls, because there's no way to screen calls at the present time.

4. curious2 Follow Befriend (5) 31 threads 2,253 comments Premium

   4   2:12am Sat 20 Oct 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   elliemae says We need a way to end robocalls, because there's no way to screen calls at the present time. Robocalls can be both a nuisance and an expense, for example while traveling. Voicemail picks up because there are messages waiting, regardless of where they are from, and the meter starts running. Illegal robo-messages add insult to injury.