How to Stop Random Dial Telemarketing

Stop unwanted telemarketer calls from ruining your evenings

Tired of the phone ringing off the hook at dinnertime? You are not alone if you have had it with telemarketers randomly dialing your number to sell you something or get your opinion about one thing or another. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to stop these random dial telemarketing intrusions--including some regulations designed to protect your privacy instituted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Instructions

Stop Unwanted Marketing Calls

1. Register your phone number with the "National Do-Not-Call Registry." This can be done by phone or Internet free of charge. Go to donotcall.gov or register by phone by calling [phone] (voice) or [phone] (TTY). You must call from the phone number you wish to register. You can register your home number, as well as your cell phone number.

2. State that you want to be added to a company's do-not-call list by requesting that a caller not call you anymore. Regardless of whether you are on the National Do-Not-Call Registry, companies are required by law to maintain a list of those people who have requested a halt in phone solicitations. They are obligated to meet this request for five years, after which you must repeat your request to have them leave you alone.

3. Join your state's do-not-call list. To find out if your state has a list like this, simply contact the consumer protection agency or public service commission for your state. These numbers are readily available in the blue pages or government agencies section of your white pages telephone directory, or you can go to naruc.org/commissions.cfm to locate contact information for your state.

4. File a complaint with the FCC, which can issue warnings and even dole out fines to those companies suspected of violating do-not-call rules. Filing is free and involves submitting an online form.

Tips & Warnings

• If your phone company offers caller ID and "privacy directory" services, use them. While you may not be able to stop all companies from calling, you can at least screen calls and avoid answering ones from numbers you do not recognize. And to make dinnertime a bit more peaceful, consider turning off your ringer.

• The National Do-Not-Call Registry protects home voice or personal wireless phone numbers only. You can register your phone numbers for free, and they will remain on the list until you remove them or discontinue service--there is no need to reregister numbers. Tax-exempt nonprofit organizations are not required to keep a do-not-call list.

References

• Unwanted telephone marketing calls

Resources

• FCC FYI about the Do-Not-Call Registry
• FCC's online complaint form