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June 2004 Consumer
Advisories
The National "Do Not Call" List
How to register -- and how to complain if you still are called.
People
report that the federal "Do Not Call" registry has sharply
reduced unwanted commercial telemarketing calls. It's quick,
it's easy, it's free -- and you can still sign up. More than
58 million Americans have registered, including over 661,000
Iowans. Most telemarketers are complying with the new law,
but a few are not. Here's how to register, and how to file
a complaint if you are called after 90 days of the date you
register.
- Register by calling toll-free
to 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you wish to register. The
TTY is 1-866-290-4236 (text telephone for hearing impaired).
Or . . .
- Register on-line at www.donotcall.gov.
You will need to provide an e-mail address for confirmation,
but only your phone number will be kept in the registry.
- You can register home
phones and cell phones. Registered numbers will be put on
the national Do Not Call list for five years, but a number
can be taken off the list at any time. The list is managed
by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- The federal law requires
commercial telemarketers to search the registry every three
months and remove numbers from their call lists. (Beginning
in 2005, telemarketers will have to update their lists every
31 days.) Telemarketers that violate the rules may be fined
up to $11,000 per call.
- Consumers can expect
fewer calls within three months of signing up for the registry.
(That will be reduced to 31 days in 2005).
- If you register and still receive a call after 90 days
following the date you register, you may file a complaint
by calling the registry
number,1-888-382-1222, or going to the FTC web site: www.donotcall.gov.
Just follow the directions to file your complaint. You must
file your complaint with the FTC Do Not Call registry.
Some telephone callers are exempt from the Do Not Call law, including charities,
political organizations, and telephone surveyors. Also, if
you have a business relationship with a company, it is exempt
from the rules for up to 18 months after the latest purchase,
payment, or delivery. But, note: If you TELL such business
telemarketers not to call you again, they must not call you.
If a professional fund-raiser calls you on behalf of a charity,
and you tell them not to call again, they also must put you
on their do-not-call list.
Click
here for the News Release on the National "Do Not Call" List.
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