According to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 234,520 individuals employed in the telemarketing industry in the United States. These individuals earn an average annual salary of $28,500. Over half of these telemarketers work in call centers.
Florida has the most telemarketers (26,940) followed by Texas (24,010), Ohio (18,460), California (16,380), and Arizona (11,330).
There are 346,960 individuals employed as debt collectors according the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Their median pay is $35,540 per year. Employment projections show that this area will experience a 15% growth between 2012 and 2022, which is faster than the overall national average.
California has the most debt collectors (38,660) followed by Texas (38,010), Florida (22,740), New York (21,360), and Ohio (15,920).
So with over 600,000 people engaged in either telemarketing or debt collection, is it any wonder why our dinner is interrupted on a regular basis?
Thankfully Congress passed the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) which prohibits telemarketer or debt collector calls from automated telephone equipment to your cell phone or any service for which you are charged for the call. It also prohibits voicemails using artificial or prerecorded messages. And, even better, it prohibits calls to any phone on the "Do Not Call Registry."
As punishment for violating the TCPA consumers may receive $500 per call, and if a court finds the calls are willful violations, up to $1500 per call. This statute is a powerful tool to address a national epidemic.
If you have been a victim of telemarketer or debt collector calls, contact a knowledgeable consumer law attorney to determine if you are entitled to damages for violation of the TCPA.
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