Missourians Have Another Opportunity to Limit Telemarketers

The National Do Not Call Registry gives consumers a choice about receiving telemarketing calls.  By simply placing a home or mobile phone number on the registry, consumers can reduce the number of telemarketing calls they receive.  Consumers may register online at www.donotcall.gov.  You need an active email address to register online.  Registration is free.
 

On June 27, 2003, the National Do Not Call Registry opened for business.  States coast to coast may register online.  States West of the Mississippi River, including Minnesota and Louisiana can register by calling toll free, 1-888-382-1222; from the number you wish to register.  States east of the Mississippi River can register by phone starting July 7, 2003.
 

Consumers who register between June 27, 2003 and August 31, 2003 will notice a reduced number of telemarketing calls beginning October 1, 2003.  Consumers who register after September 1, 2003 will notice a drop in telemarketing calls within three months of the date they register.
 

Since the Do Not Call Registry launch on Friday, June 27, consumers have registered more than 10 million telephone numbers.  “Consumer response has been enthusiastic,” commented Federal Trade Commission Chairman Timothy J. Muris.  “The highest sustained system access we’ve seen occurred Friday evening between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. EDT when an average of 158 telephone numbers were entered into the system per second.”
 

The majority, 85 percent of the registrations, have occurred online–a process that requires consumers to confirm and complete their registrations by clicking on their Do Not Call confirmation e-mail.  Currently, more than three million consumers have sent a registration request to www.donotcall.gov but have not clicked on the response e-mail and confirmed their registration. Consumers are reminded that to register their numbers with the Do Not Call Registry, they must finish the registration process.
 

Before you register your home and cell phone numbers, here are a few questions you might have about the service, along with the answer provided by the Federal Trade Commission:
 

• Why would I register my phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry?  The National Do Not Call Registry gives you an opportunity to limit the telemarketing calls you receive.  On October 1, 2003, when the National Do Not Call Registry will be enforced, most telemarketers will be required to remove the numbers on the registry from their call lists.
   
• Who manages the National Do Not Call Registry?  The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, manages the National Do Not Call Registry.  It will be enforced by the FTC, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and state law enforcement officials.
   
• Why was the National Do Not Call Registry created?  The registry was created to offer consumers a choice regarding telemarketing calls.  The FTC’s decision to create the National Do Not Call Registry was the culmination of a comprehensive, three year review of the Telemarketing Sales Rule, as well as the Commission’s extensive experience enforcing the Rule over seven years.  The FTC held numerous workshops, meetings and briefings to solicit feedback from interested parties and considered over 64,000 public comments, most of which favored creating the registry.
   

The numbers on the existing Missouri do not call list will not be shared with the national registry.  As a result, Missouri consumers who want their number on the National Do Not Call Registry must register with it.  According to Dr. Rebecca J. Travnichek, Consumer & Family Economics Specialist with Univesity of Missouri Extension, you want to be sure you complete the three-step on-line process for registration.  This involves 1) entering your telephone and cell phone numbers, 2) checking phone numbers for errors, and most importantly, 3) opening the response email messages (one per phone number registered) and completing the confirmation process.
 

At this time, Missouri is continuing to maintain a state-specific do not call list. Information about the Missouri list can be found at: www.ago.state.mo.us/nocalllaw.htm.