Consumers Can Fight Back With FTC National Do Not Call List

by James H. Dimmitt

The Federal Trade Commission has announced that it will roll out it's National Do Not Call Registry beginning July 1, 2003. This is great news for consumers who have grown tired of annoying sales calls by pesky telemarketers.

Consumers will be able to register online at a website established by the FTC beginning July 1, the agency said. This is a free service and registration renewal to be placed on the list would occur every 5 years.

Additionally, a toll-free number will be available where people can register by phone. This program will be introduced over an eight-week period beginning on the West Coast. The program will spread across the country until it becomes nationwide by the end of August.

Telemarketers will be required to "clean" their call lists by matching their list against the national "do not call" list every 90 days starting in September 2003.

Companies who call listed people will be subject to fines of up to $11,000 per violation. Enforcement will begin in October 2003.

Both the web site address and toll free number will be announced by the FTC in June.

Caution: There have already been reports of scam artists and identity thieves calling people to request or confirm personal information in regards to the Do Not Call List.

NEVER give your personal information such as your social security number or a credit card number to prove your age or identity. No one from the government or any other agency will call to confirm your information.

This is an "opt-in" service only, meaning you must initiate your registration when the service becomes available this summer. The Federal Trade Commission has announced that it will roll out itÍs National Do Not Call Registry beginning July 1, 2003. This is great news for consumers who have grown tired of annoying sales calls by pesky telemarketers.

Consumers will be able to register online at a website established by the FTC beginning July 1,the agency said. This is a free service and registration renewal to be placed on the list would occur every 5 years.

Additionally, a toll-free number will be available where people can register by phone. This program will be introduced over an eight-week period beginning on the West Coast. The program will spread across the country until it becomes nationwide by the end of August.

Telemarketers will be required to "clean" their call lists by matching their list against the national "do not call" list every 90 days starting in September 2003.

Companies who call listed people will be subject to fines of up to $11,000 per violation. Enforcement will begin in October 2003.

Both the web site address and toll free number will be announced by the FTC in June.

Caution: There have already been reports of scam artists and identity thieves calling people to request or confirm personal information in regards to the Do Not Call List.

NEVER give your personal information such as your social security number or a credit card number to prove your age or identity. No one from the government or any other agency will call to confirm your information.

This is an "opt-in" service only, meaning you must initiate your registration when the service becomes available this summer.

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© 2003, James H. Dimmitt
James is editor of "TO YOUR CREDIT", a free newsletter published every two weeks. Subscribe to the newsletter by visiting http://www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com