Learn About the Do Not Call Register

What Is the Do Not Call Register?

The Do Not Call Register is a free, government-run list that lets people tell telemarketers they do not want to receive telemarketing calls. It is operated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). When someone puts their phone number on this list, telemarketers have legal rules they must follow about calling that number.

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The register started in 2003. Before that year, there was no national way to stop telemarketing calls. The FTC and FCC created this system to give people control over unwanted calls. Today, millions of people have registered their phone numbers on the Do Not Call Register.

It is important to understand what the Do Not Call Register does and does not do. The register does not stop all calls. Some types of calls are allowed even if a number is on the list. These include calls from charities, political organizations, surveys, and companies with whom someone has done business recently. The register mainly stops calls from telemarketers trying to sell products or services.

The rules that telemarketers must follow are found in the Telemarketing Sales Rule. This rule applies to most for-profit businesses that make sales calls. When a telemarketer calls someone whose number is on the Do Not Call Register, that company can face fines of up to $43,792 per violation, according to FTC guidelines. These large fines encourage companies to check the register and follow the rules.

Practical takeaway: The Do Not Call Register is a free tool that tells telemarketers to stop calling. It does not stop all calls, but it does reduce telemarketing calls for most people who use it.

How to Register Your Phone Number

Registering a phone number on the Do Not Call Register is straightforward and costs nothing. There are two main ways to register. The easiest way is to visit the official website at donotcall.gov. This website is run by the FTC and the FCC. People can go to the site and enter their phone number. The process takes less than one minute. After registering online, the number is added to the list right away.

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The second way to register is by phone. People can call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number they want to register. An automated system will ask for the phone number and will confirm that it has been added to the Do Not Call Register. This phone option works for both landlines and cell phones. Some people prefer this method because they do not need a computer or internet connection.

It is important to note that the Do Not Call Register keeps records of registrations. Once a number is registered, it stays on the list for an indefinite time. A person does not need to re-register their number every year or renew it. The registration lasts until the person chooses to remove the number from the list.

Both registration methods are run by the government and are entirely free. There are no fees, no hidden costs, and no tricks. Some websites claim to offer "premium" Do Not Call services, but these are not necessary. The official register at donotcall.gov is the only registration that telemarketers are legally required to check.

Practical takeaway: Register for free at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222. The registration is permanent and takes less than a minute to complete.

Which Calls Are Stopped and Which Are Not

The Do Not Call Register stops most sales calls from telemarketers. If a person is on the list and a telemarketer calls to sell something, that call violates federal law. Telemarketing companies must check the Do Not Call Register before making calls. They must remove phone numbers that are on the list from their calling lists.

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However, some calls are not blocked by the Do Not Call Register. Understanding which calls can still reach someone is important. Calls from charities are not stopped by the register. This includes calls from nonprofits asking for donations. Calls from political organizations, candidates, and campaigns are also not stopped. Surveys and research calls may still go through. Calls from companies or organizations with whom someone has done business in the past 18 months may still call, even if the number is on the register.

Debt collection calls are treated differently. A company collecting a debt may still call someone on the Do Not Call Register. However, once a person tells a debt collector to stop calling, the debt collector must follow that request, even if the number is registered. This is called a written request to stop contact.

Calls from charities, political groups, and surveys are not regulated by the Do Not Call Register because these calls are protected by free speech laws. The government does not regulate these types of calls the same way it regulates sales calls. This means people may still receive calls from nonprofits or political campaigns even after registering.

Practical takeaway: The Do Not Call Register stops most sales calls from telemarketers, but it does not stop calls from charities, political groups, or surveys. If someone receives unwanted calls that are not from telemarketers, the register may not help with those calls.

Understanding Telemarketer Rules and Violations

Telemarketers must follow strict rules under federal law. These rules are part of the Telemarketing Sales Rule, enforced by the FTC. One of the main rules is that telemarketers must check the Do Not Call Register before making calls. They must update their lists at least every 31 days to remove numbers that have been registered.

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The rules require telemarketers to provide certain information during calls. They must tell the person who is called the name of the company they work for. They must also give a phone number where the person can call back. Telemarketers cannot use misleading information or lie about what they are selling. They also cannot call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in the person's time zone.

When someone tells a telemarketer to stop calling, the telemarketer must put that person's number on their company's "do not call" list. The telemarketer has 30 days to make sure no one from that company calls again. If a telemarketer calls someone after being told to stop, that is a violation.

When a telemarketer breaks these rules, they can face fines. The FTC can fine a telemarketer up to $43,792 for each violation. The FCC can fine telecom carriers and other companies up to $130,380 per violation. These high fines are meant to make companies take the rules seriously. When many people report violations, the FTC and FCC investigate and can take legal action against the companies.

Practical takeaway: Telemarketers must check the Do Not Call Register and follow specific rules. When companies break these rules, they face large fines. Understanding these rules helps people know what is legal and what is not.

How to Report Unwanted Telemarketing Calls

If a person receives a telemarketing call after registering with the Do Not Call Register, they can report it. Reporting these calls helps the FTC and FCC track violations and take action against companies that break the law. There are several ways to report a call.

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The easiest way to report is to visit donotcall.gov and use the online complaint form. A person can enter the phone number that called them, the date and time of the call, and the name of the company if they know it. The website also has space to describe what the call was about. This information goes into a database that the FTC and FCC use to find patterns of violations.

A person can also file a complaint by phone. The same phone number used for registration, 1-888-382-1222, also accepts complaints. A person can call and report the unwanted call using the automated system. The person must have the phone number that called them and the date of the call.

It is helpful to keep a record of unwanted calls. A person can write down the phone number that called, the date, the time, and the name of the company if the telemarketer said it. This information makes reporting easier and more accurate. If a person receives many calls from the same company, keeping a list of these calls can show a pattern of violations.

It is important to understand that reporting a call to the Do Not Call Register does not stop future calls right away. The reports go into a database that the FTC and FCC