Thirteen Days Remain for Initial Do Not Call Registration

The national Do Not Call registry, which already contains more than 32 million telephone numbers, will pass a significant milestone on August 31, 2003. The registry will become available to telemarketers as of September 1 and compliance with the list is required as of October 1. At that point, consumers who registered their telephone numbers prior to August 31 should experience a reduction in unwanted telemarketing calls. Consumers may continue to register after August 31, and will see a reduction in unwanted calls within 90 days.

After October 1, consumers may still receive calls for 18 months from businesses from which they have made a purchase or payment. If a consumer has requested information from a company, that company may call them for three months. Charities, political organizations, and organizations conducting surveys are not covered by the Do Not Call provisions.

The Do Not Call Internet registration is a two-step process that requires consumers to enter the phone number they wish to register and then confirm their registration by clicking on a link in the e-mail from the National Do Not Call registry to confirm their registration.

The FTC advises all consumers who registered at donotcall.gov, and who do not remember clicking on a link in an e-mail they received from the site, to return to the National Registry and verify whether their number is registered. Consumers may verify their numbers either on the Internet at donotcall.gov or by using the toll-free number: 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236). When using the telephone, consumers must call from the number they wish to verify.