Lawmakers remind about Do Not Call Registry

    Rep. Tyler Clark (R-Easton) reminds his constituents that they may place their numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry to limit the number of telemarketing calls they receive. The program, which was created in 2003, is run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).      You can register for the Do Not Call Registry either by calling toll-free 888-382-1222 or by visiting www.donotcall.gov. If registering by phone, you must call from the number that you wish to add to the list. Registration is free, and most telemarketers will not call after the number has been on the list for 31 days. Thanks to federal legislation that went into effect last year, registrations on the list do not expire.
     Only residential land lines may be added to the Do Not Call Registry. Federal regulations already prohibit cellular phone numbers from being called by telemarketers, just as they prohibit unsolicited faxes. However, it is important to note that placing your number on the Do Not Call Registry will not prohibit all unsolicited calls. The Do Not Call Registry will not prohibit non-commercial calls (which includes political calls and calls from non-profits) or calls from companies with which you have recently done business. 
     The FCC also enforces the Do Not Call Registry and will investigate consumer complaints. You may file a complaint with the FCC by e-mail at fccinfo@fcc.gov, by phone at 888-225-5322, or online via their complaint form at: esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm.