National Do Not Call Registry

[Theory5]

hey, today my mother sent me an email reminding me to put my cell phone on the National Do Not Call registry list, because apparently this month is the month where phone companies disclose Phone #'s to telemarketers. One I Called up and followed the instructions I got a peculiar message. It said that MOST telemarketers will not call your phone. I tend to pick up on this stuff, and I always imagine anything the government says or does is scrutinized by lawyers to say exactly what they mean and no more. So is that just an error or can certain telemarketers still call?

Just Wondering,

Theory

 

(i could not find a good place to post this so I just chose Computer Science and Technology)

[freeztar]

How many spam calls do you receive currently?

 

It used to be a problem for me when I had a land-line, but since I switched to cell only, I do not get any spam calls whatsoever. I did sign up for the no-call registry, but that was years ago when it first came out. I'm not sure why you got that peculiar message, but back to my first question...

[Theory5]

Currently I receive maybe one or two every month along with a few wrong number calls. Half the time I'm in class so I don't pick up, and mostly I get survey calls so I just hang up.I actually got one of these emails:

"You may have received an email telling you that your cell phone is about to be assaulted by telemarketing calls as a result of a new cell phone number database; however, that is not the case. Federal Communications Commission regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers." - ftc.gov

so I signed up and then saw that.

[JMJones0424]

From the FTC Do Not Call FAQ

#10

Can I register my cell phone on the National Do Not Call Registry?

 

Yes, you may place your personal cell phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. The registry has accepted cell phone numbers since it opened for registrations in June 2003. There is no deadline to register a home or cell phone number on the Registry.

 

You may have received an email telling you that your cell phone is about to be assaulted by telemarketing calls as a result of a new cell phone number database; however, that is not the case. FCC regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers. Automated dialers are standard in the industry, so most telemarketers don’t call consumers on their cell phones without their consent.

 

...

 

#28

If I register my number on the National Do Not Call Registry, will it stop all telemarketing calls?

 

No. Placing your number on the National Do Not Call Registry will stop most telemarketing calls, but not all. Because of limitations in the jurisdiction of the FTC and FCC, calls from or on behalf of political organizations, charities, and telephone surveyors would still be permitted, as would calls from companies with which you have an existing business relationship, or those to whom you’ve provided express agreement in writing to receive their calls. However, if you ask a company with which you have an existing business relationship to place your number on its own do-not-call list, it must honor your request. You should keep a record of the date you make the request.

 

#29

Are calls from political organizations or calls soliciting for charities covered?

 

Political solicitations are not covered by the TSR at all, since they are not included in its definition of “telemarketing.” Charities are not covered by the requirements of the national registry. However, if a third-party telemarketer is calling on behalf of a charity, a consumer may ask not to receive any more calls from, or on behalf of, that specific charity. If a third-party telemarketer calls again on behalf of that charity, the telemarketer may be subject to a fine of up to $16,000 .

 

#30

What about telephone surveys?

 

If the call is really for the sole purpose of conducting a survey, it is not covered. Only telemarketing calls are covered — that is, calls that solicit sales of goods or services. Callers purporting to take a survey, but also offering to sell goods or services, must comply with the National Do Not Call Registry.

 

I usually just get text message advertisements un-solicited on my cell, almost always about purchasing extended automobile warranties. I do not recall ever receiving an un-solicited telemarketer call on my phone.

 

I did register my home phone with Texas' statewide "do not call" list. I noticed a dramatic drop in cold-calls from for-profit companies, but now I receive many times more calls from non-profits and politicians asking for support. This may just be a symptom of the way Texas handles their list, but if the same were to happen to my cell-phone, I would be quite upset.

 

Personally, I would not recommend signing a cell-phone up to a no-call list unless you are already experiencing problems with cold-calls on your cell.