Do not call

About 4 1/2 years ago, people all across the United States were able to add their phone numbers to the Federal Do Not Call List. This prevented telemarketers from calling you at home unless they represented a company with whom you had done business. Exceptions were made for charitable organizations, surveys and political calls. Since it went into effect in 2003, over 145 million numbers have been entered into the registry – 6.5 million in Illinois as of Sept 30.

“So what?”, you may say.

Well, because many readers have probably registered on the do-no-call list, I thought it might be good to let people know some things that are now being considered about it (and what is not). (If you haven’t registered and want to stop telemarketer calls — with the exceptions noted above — you can go t0 the FTC website for the Do-Not-Call list registration information.)

When the list was created in 2003, it was to expire in June 2008. That would mean that consumers would have to re-register their numbers every 5 years to keep numbers out of the hands of telemarketers.

There are some things you should know that are happening with the do-not-call list right now.

First, the FTC was considering purging all numbers from its list in June 2008, causing all who are on the list to have to re-register, regardless of when they previously registered their number. However, information released today states that the FTC will not be dropping any numbers from the list at the 5-year expiration period.

Legislation has been introduced in Congress to make the list permanent. The final decision regarding the Registry is pending this legislation.

Changes have been made since 2003 that cause disconnected and reassigned numbers to be removed from the database on a monthly basis. This allows the Registry to balance accuracy with consumer privacy concerns, making it possible to do away with the 5-year expiration period.

And, finally, there has been a myth circulating for awhile — primarily via email — that telemarketing companies would begin calling cell phones. The do-not-call list does accept cell phone numbers into the registry for those wanting the added security and privacy. However, the FCC has made it illegal to use automated dialers to call cell phones; which is the way most telemarketing companies operate.

You can register online at WWW.DONOTCALL.GOV or call toll-free, 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236), from the number you wish to register. Registration is free.