Do Not Call List is Free: FTC Warns of Scam

The Federal Trade Commission is warning consumers to be on the lookout for persons claiming they can, for a fee, register or pre-register consumers for the FTC’s National Do Not Call Registry. On Dec. 8, 2003, a U.S. district court permanently barred a California man from claiming for a fee he could do so through his two Web sites.

In reality, consumers who want to be included on the FTC’s Registry must call 1-888-382-1222 from their own phone or sign up online at the official Web site, www.donotcall.gov. To sign up online, a valid e-mail address is required. There is no cost to register either via phone or on the Internet.

"Consumers never have to pay to register their phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry," said Howard Beales, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “It’s also easy. One call to 1-888-382-1222 or one click to donotcall.gov, and you're on your way.”

Consumers who register for the do not call list by phone must call from the number they want to register.

Consumers who register online will be required to respond to a confirmation email before their registration will become valid.

How To File Do Not Call Violation Complaints

The Federal Communication Commission has also released specific steps consumers should take if they have put their names on the National Do-Not-Call Registry and are called by telemarketers on or after October 1, 2003. It provides information about what is a violation and specifics about how to file a complaint. See, How To Make A Telemarketing Complaint for complete information.