Say "Do-Not-Call" to Unwanted Telemarketing
An important message from your community based telecom provider

     Ever have this happen? You are at home,enjoying a quiet dinner or relaxing with your favorite television program, when your evening is inter rupted by an unwanted sales or telemarketing call. If you are familiar with this experience, you are not alone. The most common complaints by consumers are about telemarketing calls. And those complaints have increased since telemarketers have started to use auto-dialers and prerecorded automated voice calls. These "tools of the trade" not only disrupt a peaceful evening at home, they often end up being hang-ups or dead air calls.

     Previously, telemarketing regulation largely was company or state specific. Under federal rules, telemarketers had to maintain their own list of consumers who had asked to be removed from their call databases. As such, to effectively reduce telemarketing calls, a consumer would have to contact hundreds of telemaketers and request that his/her phone number be removed from each call list.

     Several states instituted their own "do-not-call" lists, which usually were overseen by that state’s office of consumer protection or public utility commission. However, many states lack authority over some industries and enforcement of the law was difficult if a telemarketer was outside of the state.

     To counter this problem, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has established a national do-not-call registry that will enable consumers to eliminate most telemarketing calls, simply by making one call to the FTC.

What is the National Do-Not-Call Registry and how does it work?
     The do-not-call registry is made up of the telephone numbers of consumers who ask to be removed from telemarketers’ call lists. The national registry will take effect in September 2003.At that time, telemarketers will be required to access the registry’s database and remove from their call lists all numbers placed on the do-not-call registry. Telemarketers must update their call lists every 90 days.

     Registered telephone numbers will remain on the national registry for five years, after which time consumers can renew their registry.The FTC states that consumers who place their phone numbers on the national registry should see a reduction in telemarketing calls within 90 days of its implementation. Consumers who receive telemarketing calls more than 90 days after the effective date of September 1, or after registering, may file a complaint with the FTC.The FTC and state agencies will begin enforcing the do-not-call regulations in October. A telemarketer violating the do-not-call rules may be fined up to $11,000 for each infringement.

How do I sign up for the National Do-Not-Call Registry?
     Consumers are able to register online or by calling a toll-free telephone number. Online registration is available at www.donotcall.gov. Telephone registration is available by calling toll-free to 888-382-1222. Those registering by telephone must call from the number they wish to register. There is no cost to register.

     Many states already operate their own do-not-call lists. However, registration with a state do-not-call list will not automatically enroll consumers in the national registry. Consumers must sign up for the national registry separately to further limit telemarketing calls.The FTC is working with state governments to coordinate these registries, but state and national lists are not expected to be integrated for another year or more.

If I sign up for the do-not-call registry, will I never receive another telemarketing call again?
     You still will receive some telemarketing calls, but you should see a substantial eduction in the number. Some businesses are exempt from the federal rules and are able to call you, even if you placed your number on the registry including long-distance telephone companies, airlines and insurance companies that operate under state regulations.

     Companies with which a consumer has a business relationship also are exempt from the do-not-call registry. For instance, if you have a credit card, you are considered to have a business relationship with that company, and that allows them to continue making sales calls to you. This exemption also extends to businesses to which a consumer has made a purchase, inquiry or submitted an application. However, the FTC placed a time limit on this exemption.The business relationship exemption is limited to 18 months from the time of the last purchase, payment, delivery or inquiry.

     You also may receive solicitations for charitable donations, as these callers also are exempt from the national registry. However, for-profit telemarketers calling on behalf of a charitable organization are not exempted and must adhere to the national do-not-call registry rules.

     Further information on the do-not-call registry is available at www.ftc.gov/donotcall.