How to Join the Nationwide Do Not Call List

Consumers deal with telemarketers on a daily basis, and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) provides various protections against persistent callers.

One of the most helpful provisions under the TCPA is requiring companies to maintain and use their own do not call list, which consists the names of customers that no longer wish to receive communications from the company.

At the federal level, there’s the National Do Not Call Registry. This registry was established the Federal Trade Commission’s Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) in 2003. The registry gives consumers control over the number of telemarketing calls they receive. Here are some frequently asked questions consumers have about how to get added to the Do Not Call Registry.

How can I join the National Do Not Call Registry?

Consumers can register online at donotcall.gov by email, or by phone by calling toll free at 1-88-382-1222 from the number they wish to register on the National Do Not Call Registry. Registration is free.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, if registration is done online, an email address must be provided for confirmation and will then be used to complete registration in a confirmation email. Consumers can expect calls to reduce within the 31 days of signing up for the registry.

How does the National Do Not Call Registry affect telemarketers?

Federal law requires companies to check the national do not call list every 31 days to avoid calling consumers on the registry. Consumers who receive calls to the number that they added to the registry can file a complaint to donotcall.gov or by calling a toll free number.

Consumers will need to know the date of the call and company’s name or phone number when filing the complaint. Telemarketers who violate this could face a fine of up to $40,000 per unwanted call. If telephone numbers are disconnected or reassigned, they are removed from the registry.

Do companies have their own do not call list?

Along with the registry, consumers can typically ask for companies to stop contacting them and the company will respect this by adding them to the list of customers not to contact. Companies must honor this for up to five years.

This policy is part of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), which also requires that companies get express written consent from consumers before making certain kinds of contact.

What is the TCPA?

The TCPA was established in the early 1990s, and has since become a vital tool to keep aggressive telemarketers from interfering in people’s daily lives.

The TCPA requires the companies only call between 8am and 9pm and not take any emergency lines. Another major TCPA policy requires companies to get express written consent from consumers before making certain kinds of automated calls, according to the FCC.

Car dealerships have recently been accused of violating the TCPA by sending unwanted calls or texts to consumers by way of automated dialing system and failing to add them to their do not call lists. Customers who are currently contending with this annoyance should educate themselves in federal privacy laws, as well as their own state’s policies on the TCPA, so they can better understand their rights.

Join a Free Car Dealership TCPA Violations Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

You may be eligible to join this lawsuit investigation into car dealership TCPA violations under the following circumstances:

• You did NOT provide express permission in writing to the car dealership to receive the calls or messages.
  You did NOT purchase a vehicle from the dealership that is contacting you.

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