"Do Not Call" List Could Become Permanent
Thu Sep 13, 2007 12:31PM EDT
See Comments (94)
You know and love the Do Not Call list. It may not be perfect, and it seems powerless to stop the automated calls I get from some company promising a great price on cleaning my carpets (and they'll clean the hallway for free!!!), but it's the best thing we have for getting rid of telemarketing nuisance.
The catch with Do Not Call (and it's a small one) is that your registration expires after five years. For the millions of people who signed up when it was rolled out in June 2003, that means their phone numbers (to the tune of 50 million of them) will abruptly be taken off the list in June 2008, without warning. You can, of course, re-register, but I expect many will have long since forgotten that they need to do so.
Good news: A bill introduced in the House on Monday would make Do Not Call entries permanent, eliminating the need to re-register phone numbers. Why is permanence a good thing? Best quote, courtesy of bill sponsor Mike Doyle: "I suspect very few people are saying, 'Gee, I really miss getting those telemarketing calls at dinner time – I wish the government would take me off the do not call list.'"
More news as it develops, but overall it sounds like legislation I can really get behind. To find out when your Do Not Call entry expires, visit the Verify section of the DNC website. To renew your registration (and there's no reason not to do so), visit the Register page. Assuming the bill doesn't make it into law in a timely fashion, make sure you do so before your five years runs out!
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Comments on "Do Not Call" List Could Become Permanent
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87 Posted by ppayne770 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:18PM EDT Report Abuse
So nice to pull up the Internet and find some very valuable information. Thanks!
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88 Posted by svwhitelotus on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:50PM EDT Report Abuse
I give out my FAX line number when I HAVE TO give out a phone number to some outfit that might use or sell my number, which is darned near everyone except small, local businesses. Often, businesses, especially large corporations, tell their front-line staff they do not do use or sell numbers for marketing purposes, but they LIE! They never call my fax more than twice. Usually, simply saying I do not give out my unlisted, do not call numbers to anybody, ever, works. I am paid by the hour. Whoever steals my time, steals my money. Why should I help someone steal from me?
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89 Posted by larrob26 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:56PM EDT Report Abuse
God, how I wish there was a way to get rid of telemarketing e-mails! I also get 3 or 4 e-mails a day from England telling me I've won some lottery or another. I must have won 20 million dollars so far!
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90 Posted by christopherkirchen on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:25PM EDT Report Abuse
I thought it was permanent when I first got on it, but then I thought the organ donor list was as well. I guess the best things require more effort...
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91 Posted by rond858@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:49PM EDT Report Abuse
I would like the phone number to whom I would complain to when I receive unwanted calls. (yes I am on the 'do not call list'. thanks
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92 Posted by esteppat on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:56PM EDT Report Abuse
Unfortunately the list does not include politicians.
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93 Posted by dbratch1941 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:39PM EDT Report Abuse
How does one get on the DO NOT CALL list? Someone else asked the same question and didn't get an answer.
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94 Posted by rhondacastleberry@ymail.com on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:38PM EDT Report Abuse
THIS WOULD BE GREAT IF IT ONLY WORKED!!!!!!!!!!!!
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86 Posted by angeliqueskiss on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:54PM EDT Report Abuse
Wow. Lots of strong opinions here. Let me just say that I have been in the telemarketing industry for almost 10 years. I agree that the DNC list is a good thing. Why? I too am a consumer. However let me point out that we as Americans are constantly being solicited. Stores, tv,email,etc.etc. I am so sick of people complaining about how telemarketers are rude, etc. You run into rude people all the time, not just those that telemarket you. I manage a group of telemarketers and I train them to be professional, respectful and to follow the guidelines of the DNC. There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding about what the DNC list is and is not. It is really very simple. Go to the website and read the FAQ's. That should clear up any questions you may have. Let me just say also that the telemarketing industry is a very lucrative one. Why? Because people do still buy over the phone. There are many many legitimate businesses out there who use telemarketing as a way to reach more clients. And, FYI not all telemarketers are single moms, uneducated, or lazy. It is an unfair label to place on an entire group of people. I have employees from ALL sorts of backgrounds. I have people on my crew that have college degrees. Just remember, you have rights, they have rights. You get what you give. If you are rude and nasty to people, whether they are a telemarketer or not,what kind of a response do you think you will get? One more thing, the company I work for follows ALL THE RULES REGARDING THE DNC. I highly doubt any business would purposely disregard that. If they do, well then they SHOULD be fined. GIVE TELEMARKETERS A BREAK.