Most phone owners have been bombarded by unwanted telemarketing calls during an otherwise peaceful evening or weekend. The dinnertime telemarketer phone call has become so common it is a nearly universal concept in modern society. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been receiving complaints in the increasing numbers from consumers throughout the United States about the unwanted and uninvited calls to their homes from the telemarketers since the practice began.

This increasing number of complaints has prompted the FCC to establish a national Do Not Call Registry from which the laws on telemarketing no call lists were based. The FCC, together with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), pursuant to its authority under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) passed the telemarketing no call list rules. The telemarketing no call list registry is now nationwide in scope guaranteeing the rules apply to all telemarketers and covers both the interstate and intrastate telemarketing calls. Only non-profit organizations or charities are exempted from the telemarketing no call list.

The telemarketing no call list legislation requires the commercial telemarketers not to call a prospect if the number is on the telemarketing no call list, subject to exceptions. This permits consumers to reduce the number of unwanted telemarketing calls to their homes if they so desire.

Registering with the Telemarketing No Call List.

The telemarketing no call list passed by the FCC and FTC requires registration from those who wish to be included in the list. This service is given for free and a phone number, once registered, will remain on the national telemarketing no call list for five years. A phone number may be resubmitted to the telemarketing no list at the end of those five years, or it may be removed from the list at any if the owner so desires.

There are two ways to register a number with the telemarketing no call list. Telephone subscribers may register their residential telephone number, including the wireless numbers, on the national Do Not Call Registry by telephone or online at no cost. They must, however, register their numbers to the telemarketing no call list from the phone number they wish to register.

The telemarketers and sellers are required to search the telemarketing no call list registry at least once every 31 days and drop from their call lists any phone number that appears on the list.

Exceptions to the Telemarketing No Call List

Unfortunately the telemarketing no call list does not prevent all unwanted telephone calls. There are specific limitations, meaning the following cases are not prevented:

• Calls from organizations that you have given prior written permission.

• Calls by or on behalf of tax-exempt non-profit organizations.

• Calls which are not commercial or those that do not include unsolicited advertisements.

• Calls are permitted from organizations with which you have established a business relationship.