Registration for the Do Not Call List began on June 27, 2003, and went into effect on October 1, 2003. As of January 1, 2005, telemarketers covered by the registry have a maximum of 31 days from the date the number is registered to stop calling the number.
What is the National Do Not Call Registry and is It Legit?
The National Do Not Call Registry is a database maintained by the U.S. federal government that lists phone numbers for individuals and households who ask telemarketers not to contact them. Federal law requires certain callers to honor this request.
Consumers can add landline or cell phone numbers to the registry, but FCC regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automatic dialers to dial cell phone numbers in nearly all cases. In 2005, rumors began spreading via email that cell phone providers were planning to offer telemarketers their directory. The FTC responded by clarifying that telemarketers cannot legally call cell phones. Also, because existing federal laws and regulations prohibit sending unsolicited faxes, there is no need to include a fax number on the registry.
If a person does not want to register a number with the National Registry, they can still block individual telemarketer calls by requiring the caller to put the called number on the company’s reject call list.
Since 2003, millions of Americans have placed their phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry, and millions have done so. The registry now has more than 221 million phone numbers. Not only is the Do Not Call program popular with consumers, but also it helps telemarketers operate more effectively by filtering out consumers who don’t want to be contacted.
Originally, phone numbers were only kept in the registry for 5 years. Now due to the “No Call Improvement Act” of 2007, which came into effect in February 2008, phone numbers will no longer be automatically removed from the registry.
Does the National Do Not Call List Work?
The Do Not Call Registry stops sales calls from real companies. It can also prevent robocalls. If a robocall is selling something, then it’s illegal unless the company trying to sell you something has written permission directly from you to call you that way. So if you don’t give the company permission and the robocall pure information, the chance is that it’s a scam. At least, it’s from a company you don’t want to do business with. If you receive an illegal robocall, you can just hang up and don’t push a button to delete it from the call list, which may lead to more unwanted calls. Instead, you should report to the FTC.
However, it cannot stop all unwanted calls.
Do Not Call Registry blocks sales calls from real companies, but the Registry cannot stop calls from individuals, scammers, or companies who ignore the Registry.
The company can call you if you have recently done business with the company, or if you have given them written permission to call. But if you ask them not to call you, they have to stop. It is worth noting that you have to be sure to write down the date you ask them to stop.
After you sign up, other types of organizations may still call you, such as charities, political groups, debt collectors, and investigative agencies.
How to Register with the National Do Not Call Registry?
There are two ways to add your number to the Do Not Call List, and the registration is free. You can either visit DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236) from the phone you want to register.
After registering your number at DoNotCall.gov, you will receive an email with a link that you need to click on within 72 hours to complete the registration.
A Full List of Do Not Call Registry in All States
California
In 2002, the California Legislature asked the state’s attorney general (AG) to establish a statewide do-not-call list. It was originally scheduled to start operations on April 1, 2003. But in December 2002, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it would create a national reject list covering all states. Instead of duplicating efforts and confusing consumers, the California company’s office joined the FTC to merge the state’s efforts with the federal list. The federal list will not take effect until October 2003.
On June 27, 2003, the national do-not-call registration system maintained by the FTC went into effect. You can call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236) from the phone number you want to register. This includes home telephones, cell phones, and fax lines. If you want to register it through the Internet, you can go to www.donotcall.gov. Telemarketers must purchase the Federal Do Not Call Registration form from the FTC in September 2003 and then purchase updates quarterly. They must start using the registration form in October, making sure not to call individuals listed on the registration form.
Florida
In addition to the national Do Not Call Registry, Florida maintains its own Do Not Call list. If you opt in to the Florida Do Not Call list, it protects you from receiving unsolicited telemarketing calls (telemarketing calls) on your home phone, cell phone, or mobile paging device. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) maintains a Florida Do Not Accept List. You can get your number on the list in two ways:
- Florida Do Not Call Program website. DACS will have your number on the list for five years, and you can update the five-year list at the end of your term.
- Register with the Federal Do Not Call Registry. Florida law requires DACS to include any Florida-related numbers listed on the FTC Do Not Call Registry. Your phone number will remain on the federal list indefinitely.
You can sign up for any of these lists without paying a fee.
Michigan
Michigan has adopted the FTC’s Do Not Call Registry as the state’s Do Not Call list. By registering with the Federal Registry, you will also automatically be placed on Michigan’s “do not call” list. Registration is free and does not expire. Once registered, unwanted sales calls should cease within 31 days, but some telemarketing calls are still allowed under exemptions from state law and federal regulations.
You can now register your home or mobile phone on DoNotCall.gov. The online registration process requires a valid email address. If you register online, the FTC will send you an email with a link. You need to click the link in the email within 72 hours to complete the registration. You may be required to provide limited personal information for confirmation. If you don’t have an email address, you can sign up by phone. You can sign up for the Federal Do Not Call Registry by dialing 1-888-382-1222 using the phone number you want to register and following the prompts.
Under Michigan law, telemarketers who call Michigan phone numbers on the Do Not Call List may be penalized. Do Not Call Complaints can be filed with the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission.
Texas
Texans can register a phone number on a Public Utilities Commission-sponsored Do Not Call List (a statewide Do Not Call list or Electrical Do Not Call list). By listing your name, address, and phone number, you identify yourself as someone who does not want to answer telemarketing calls, thereby restricting telemarketing calls from all Texas telemarketers, including text, graphics, and image information. The statewide “Do Not Call” list is used to register any residential or wireless phone number for any telemarketer in Texas, including Retail Electric Providers (REPs) and telemarketers calling on their behalf. Business phone numbers are not eligible for this list. Adding phone numbers to this list is free.
You can register at www.TexasNoCall.com – using the Internet to provide a simple, automated method. The site is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If you want to register by mail, please use the printable registration form. Or you can write to Texas No Call, 711 Atlantic Ave. 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02111.
New York
New York State’s Do Not Call registry has been merged with a National list. The governor signed legislation Monday that would allow phone numbers to be ported for households looking to block telemarketing.
In 2021, New York State passed a law expanding the classification of telemarketing to include SMS marketing, closing a loophole that would allow texts to be exempt from telemarketing regulations. Before the legislation was signed into law on Tuesday, the state was only classifying calls, often automated, under the provisions outlined in General Business Section 399-Z. According to the state attorney general’s office, anyone contacted by the telemarketer can request to be placed on a Do Not Call list requested by the telemarketer. They are banned from calling anyone on their list for at least 10 years.
Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Do Not Call List is maintained by First Data. To add or remove your number from the list, you must contact First Data, not the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. You can register any home and mobile number, each number only needs to be registered once (not everyone in the family needs to register). Once registered, your phone number will be included in future listings unless you request that it be removed. If you wish to have your phone number removed from the list, you must print a removal request form and mail it to First Data in Omaha, Nebraska or call their office at 866-339-1475. If you move and change your number, you should delete your number. There are three ways to register it:
- www.Mass.gov/donotcall. The site can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- By phone: Call First Data toll-free at 866-339-1475. The automated system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- By mail: Print a copy of the registration form and mail it to the following address: Massachusetts Do Not Call c/o First Data 855 Pacific Street 4th Floor FDGS Omaha, NE 68106
Or You can register for the National Do Not Call Registry by phone or online, call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4326) from the phone number you want to register or visit www.donotcall.gov to register online. If you register online, you will need to provide an email address. A confirmation email will be sent to this email address with a link you must click to confirm your registration within 72 hours of receipt. After registering, your phone number will appear on the registration form the next day. The telemarketer then has up to 31 days to remove your phone number from their calling list. If your phone number is disconnected and then reconnected, you may need to re-register. Additionally, you or your phone company may have taken some action that caused your registered phone number to be unregistered – even if there was no interruption to your service (such as changing your calling plan or other services, or changing the billing name on your phone number) account. You can delete your phone number from the registry by calling 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number to be deleted.
Kentucky
Kentucky’s Telemarketing Prohibition Calls Act allows Kentuckians to reduce the number of unwanted telemarketing calls that violate their families’ privacy, with some exceptions. To be protected by law, you must register your home phone number and/or wireless phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry. Registering with the National Do Not Call Registry is quick and easy, and it’s a free service for Kentuckians. Since 2007, Kentucky’s No Caller List has been maintained as part of the National No Caller Registry. Once you have registered your home and/or wireless phone number, you will remain on the Do Not Call list until your phone number is disconnected and reassigned, or until you request that your number be deleted.
Kentuckians on the no-call list who receive unwanted telemarketing calls can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). If you receive an unwanted call after 31 days of being listed on the National Registry, please report the call to the FTC.
FAQs about the Do Not Call Registry
Is the Do Not Call Registry legit and safe?
The FTC stores your phone number so that telemarketers can remove it from calling lists. If you register with DoNotCall.gov, they also collect your email address to confirm your registration. They store your email address securely, separate from your phone number, and never share it with telemarketers. Companies that illegally call numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry or make illegal calls can currently be fined up to $43,792 per call.
If I’m in the Registry, Do the FTC Rules Still Allow Any Other Types of Calls?
Other types of organizations may still call you after you sign up, such as political appeals, charity calls, debt collection calls, purely informational calls, surveys, etc. However, those calls also can’t include sale pitches. If 31 days after your number is on the National Registry and you receive an unwanted call, report it to the FTC.
Are Cell Phones Treated the Same Way as Home Phones in Do Not Call Registration?
Yes. You register your mobile number the same way you would register any other number. There is no difference between mobile numbers and home phone numbers once they are listed on the Do Not Call Registry.
Can I Register Multiple Numbers Online?
You can register up to three numbers online at a time. If you want to register more phone numbers, just go through the registration process again. Then you will receive an email for each number you register online. You must open each email and click the link within 72 hours to register each number. If you want to register your number by calling a toll-free number, you must make a call with each phone number you want to register.
My Caller ID Number Is Fake. Why Should I Report?
The number you received may not be the real number of the caller because technology allows scammers to fake caller ID information. But sometimes, the FTC and other law enforcement agencies can still track calls based on the information you provide. Your reporting is still helpful as the FTC analyzes reporting data and trends to identify illegal callers based on calling patterns. They also use other information you report to track down scammers.
Where Can I Report Unwanted Calls?
If you have lost money to a phone scam or you have information about the business or scammer who called you, you can report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
If you are not losing money and just want to report the call, you can use the simplified reporting form at DoNotCall.gov.
You should report the number that received the call, the number displayed on your caller ID (even if you think it might be spoofed or fake), and any numbers you were told to call back. If available, you can also report the exact date and time of the call.
What Is the FTC Doing to Stop Illegal Calls?
The FTC works with other law enforcement agencies and encourages industry efforts to combat robocalls and caller ID spoofing. The FTC has led programs to develop technology-based solutions, including a series of robocall competitions that challenge technologists to devise tools to stop robocalls and help investigators track and block robocalls. The FTC has also taken enforcement action against robocallers and has blocked those responsible for billions of robocalls.