Quit Bugging Me! All About Do-Not-Call Lists

Back on May 23rd 2006, I wrote an article on How to Stop Junk Mail which lists several options to stop snail-mail. In this article, I’ll talk about different ways of reducing unwanted telephone solicitations. Even though many of you have probably already heard of or used the national Do-Not-Call registry there may be some details below that you don’t know about…

Stopping Unwanted Telephone Solicitations with the Federal Do-Not-Call Registry:

In response to consumer uproar, the Federal Trade Commission launched a Federal Do-Not-Call list in 2003 to block unwanted phone calls. You can register online at www.donotcall.gov or call toll-free, 888-382-1222 from the number you wish to register. Registering is free but must be renewed every five years.

You may have received several political solicitations over the last few weeks considering the elections were yesterday. That’s because political and charitable organizations are exempt for the list.

In addition, by purchasing something from the company, you established a business relationship with the company. As a result, even if you put your number on the National Do Not Call Registry, that company may call you for up to 18 months after your last purchase or delivery from it, or your last payment to it, unless you ask the company not to call again. In that case, the company must honor your request not to call. If they subsequently call you again, they may be subject to a fine of up to $11,000.

If you have been on the National Do-Not-Call Registry List at least 31 days and you receive a call from a telemarketer that you believe is covered by the registry, you can file your complaint on www.donotcall.gov, using the File a Complaint page. You must know either the name or the telephone number of the company that called you. You also must provide the date that the company called you and your registered phone number. You may provide your name and address, but it’s not required for you to submit a complaint. You also may call the registry’s toll-free number at (1-888-382-1222) to file a complaint (for TTY, call 1-866-290-4236).

Company-Specific Do-Not-Call Lists:

The FCC requires a person or entity placing live telephone solicitations to your home to maintain a record of your request not to receive future telephone solicitations from that person or entity. This request should also stop calls from affiliated entities if you would reasonably expect them to be included, given the identification of the caller and the product being advertised. Each time you receive a call from a different person or entity, though, you must request that that person or entity not call you again.

Do You Have Caller ID?

If you have caller ID, a solicitor is required to display its telephone number and, if available, its name or the name and phone number of the company for which it is selling products. The display must include a phone number that you can call during regular business hours to ask that the company no longer call you. This rule also applies to companies that have an established relationship with you. (Previously, the names on these calls have appeared as “private,” “out of area,” or “unavailable.”)

State Do-Not-Call Lists:

Additionally, many states now have statewide “no-call” lists for residents in their respective states. Below is a list to many State specific do-not-call lists.

Sources: FCC.gov, 800helpfl.com, donotcall.gov.