For
Release: March 25, 2003
FTC Announces Calendar for Implementation
of the National "Do Not Call" Registry
Plans Call for Eight-Week
Registration Period, Phased In By Region
The Federal Trade Commission
today released its schedule for creating and implementing the
national "do not call" registry, first announced in December
2002 as part of the Amended Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR). The
registry will give consumers a choice about whether to receive
most telemarketing calls. Beginning in July, consumers will be
able to put their telephone numbers on the national registry,
which telemarketers subsequently will be required to access. As
of October, it will be illegal for most telemarketers to call a
number listed on the registry.
When registration opens in
July, consumers can register for free in two ways: online or by
telephone. The FTC will announce the Web site URL for online
registration and the toll-free number in June. To better manage
the anticipated volume of registrations, initial sign-up by
phone for the registry will be phased in, region-by-region, over
an eight-week period. Online registration will be available
immediately throughout the United States in July. Consumers'
names will remain on the registry for five years, or until they
change their phone number. At that point, consumers will be able
to renew their registration.
The registry will be available
to telemarketers and other sellers in September 2003, and they
will be required to "scrub" their call lists against the names
on the registry at least once every 90 days. In October 2003,
the FTC and the States will begin enforcing the national "do not
call" provisions of the Amended TSR. Violators will be subject
to a fine of up to $11,000 per violation. Consumers listed
should begin to receive fewer unwanted telemarketing calls
approximately three months after they register.
Until the national "do not
call" registry begins accepting registrations, consumers may
limit the number of telemarketing calls they receive by placing
their names on the "do not call" lists of individual companies.
Additionally, some states have established "do not call" lists
for their residents' convenience. Consumers can visit
www.ftc.gov/donotcall for
additional information and updates. |