Mark Eckenwiler explains how he sued a telemarketer in small claims in the District of Columbia and received a $500 settlement. The article is very well written, taking the reader step by step through the story and legal process.

I got my own revenge on a telemarketer today. We had a call this morning that got us (my roommate and I) brainstorming about funny things to do to telemarketers. The next one called about an hour later, asking for another roommate. We said, "yes, just a minute" and then proceeded to make plunging noises in the toilet while holding the phone in close proximity. Trust me, it was much funnier than it sounds.

Apparently I missed the deadline to sign up for the new Massachusetts "no call" list, which is updated quarterly. The FTC list has not yet gone into effect, and though I've also signed up on Direct Marketing Association's voluntary list, I'm still getting several calls a day. The latest trend is for the phone to ring just once or twice, as early as 7am.