Enough Already: The National Do Not Call Registry
On June 27th, 2003, The National Do Not Call Registry went online. This list promises to reduce (not stop) irritating telemarketing phone calls. Ten million people registered in the first four days. It remains to be seen whether it will really work, but at least the issue is getting some attention. A similar fate may await the world of SPAM : A national "no spam" list would allow the FTC to fine spammers up to $5,000 for each violation; those who misuse the registry could be fined up to $100,000. Additionally, those receiving spam could sue for as much as $1,000 for each such e-mail. Repeat offenders could get jail time. NICE!
The National Do Not Call Registry
gives you an opportunity to limit the telemarketing calls you receive. On October 1, 2003, when the National Do Not Call Registry will be enforced, most telemarketers will be required to remove the numbers on the registry from their call lists. The National Do Not Call Registry is managed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency. It will be enforced by the FTC, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and state law enforcement officials.
The registry was created to offer consumers a choice regarding telemarketing calls. The FTC's decision to create the National Do Not Call Registry was the culmination of a comprehensive, three year review of the Telemareting Sales Rule, as well as the Commission's extensive experience enforcing the Rule over seven years. The FTC held numerous workshops, meetings and briefings to solicit feedback from interested parties and considered over 64,000 public comments, most of which favored creating the registry. You can review the entire record of the Rule review at www.ftc.gov/bcp/rulemaking/tsr/tsrrulemaking/index.htm.
Most of the 27 states will that currently have active do not call lists will transfer numbers from their lists to the National Do Not Call Registry. A few will not. You can find out which states are transferring their do not call lists to the National Do Not Call Registry at www.ftc.gov/donotcall. If you live in a state that is transferring its do not call list to the national registry, you do not need to re-register. On the other hand, if you live in a state that has its own do not call list, but the state is not transferring numbers to the National Registry, then you need to register your own number on the National Registry. If you are uncertain whether you are on a state do not call list and wish to limit your telemarketing contacts, you can register with the National Do Not Call Registry.
The FTC will not allow private companies or other such third parties to "pre-register" consumers for the National Do Not Call Registry. Web sites or phone solicitations that claim they can or will register a consumer's name or phone number on a national list - especially those that charge a fee - are a scam. Consumers are able to register directly, or through some state governments, but never private companies. The National Do Not Call Registry is a free service of the federal government.
The National Do Not Call Registry is only for personal phone numbers. Business to business calls are not covered by the National Do Not Call Registry. If you register by August 31, 2003, you will start receiving fewer telemarketing calls by October 1, 2003. If you register after September 1, 2003, telemarketers covered by the National Do Not Call Registry will have up to three months from the date you register to stop calling you.
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