Do Not Call List Inching Closer to Permanence

Wed Oct 31, 2007 4:08PM EDT

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Last month I reported about a legislative action involving making permanent the Do Not Call list, which millions signed up for during its 2003 launch... and which are now set to expire in 2008. The good news just got a bit better: The Bill introduced in September to make the Do Not Call registry a permanent registry has passed both House and Senate committee sessions, which would eliminate the five-year expiry after which registered numbers are dropped from the list.

The lone governmental holdout against making Do Not Call entries permanent has been the FTC, which has previously said that expiration dates were needed to account for people who change phone numbers or move. However, critics of that policy have rightly argued that disconnected and reassigned numbers are automatically purged from the list once a month. The "permanent" DNC list would up that pace to twice a month.

Even more good news: While the bill is working its way through Congress, the FTC has reversed itself by announcing that it will not purge expiring registrations until the matter is sorted out in Congress (and hopefully signed by the President). So, no need to rush out and re-register your phone numbers on the list now. With any luck you'll never have to register them again.

Still need to register? Visit donotcall.gov to get on the list.  

LINK: Bill Makes Do Not Call Listings Forever 

Comments on Do Not Call List Inching Closer to Permanence

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  • 26 Posted by robertbarr2@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    I can't believe a telemarketer actually wants sympathy. Drop dead and get a real job. Your right to free speech is trumped by my right to privacy. Period, paragraph. I'm just tired of getting calls from politicians, political parties and phony charities. I don't mind signing up every 5 years or so, as long as the law is actually enforced. I haven't read much about enforcement.

  • 27 Posted by cheaterbug121@sbcglobal.net on Fri Nov 2, 2007 1:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    idid the do not call list thing i got a zillion bulk junk mail that same night and all the solicitors said they were non profit and are not included in the do not call overall i got more calls not less by signing up

  • 28 Posted by goldenlady0167@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    This is just common sense not to have to reregister in 2008 BUT can our current policy makers actually handle making it permanent ?????

  • 29 Posted by t.m.davidson@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    Add politicians and I'll sign the darn bill. This is my last year anyway. I'm tard of Al Gory, or is it Al-Kida, that keeps calling me to tell me its getting warmer. That's down right harrassment. Heh-heh-heh!

  • 30 Posted by rcwings@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    how can u stop overseas callers, they are driving me crazy. They are very aggressive!

  • 31 Posted by dm-dkholdren@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    On the plus side, no more unwanted phone calls, on the minus side, job elimination. I know no one likes telemarketing, but job loss is a serious problem, too.

  • 32 Posted by phhaynes@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:09PM EDT Report Abuse

    Is there a way to stop computer generate phone calls? Most tele-marketers have gone to this to avoid these resrictions.

  • 33 Posted by hotguysf1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:20PM EDT Report Abuse

    what stinks is the telemarketers are now calling with unidentifiable caller id's and leaving recorded messages with no call back number. I have been on the DNC list for years and I still get calls and am unable to report them. I used to be a telemarketer, and I know it's a tough job and for some it's their only income, but it almost harrassment these days.

  • 35 Posted by skipkeene@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    This is great. Is there any way to stop the unsolicited faxes that are sent to our homes and businesses?

  • 36 Posted by intermountain@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:24PM EDT Report Abuse

    From telemarketer...Don't answer your phone if you are busy. If it's family they know when you eat if it's important they will call back. Ever heard of voice mail? If we leave a message you can return it or not, your choice. The only part of my business I do not like is the "computerized voice" calls. Telemarketing is a form of advertisement. Shut the phone off if you are busy. I have a "do not disturb" button on my phone that blocks all calls cart blanch. However the telemarketer or person on the other line is just trying to make a living as well. Selling isn't easy. However blocking telemarketers on the phone only causes us to step away from the desk and hit the sidewalks and do door to door sales or pitch their message because what they are saying is important to them. They feel you should be aware of a product or service that they are talking about. Blocking us telemarketers takes food away from my children. Makes it so I can't pay the bills. Regardless of how you feel it's a way to make a living. It pays the bills and that's a tough way to say. "You are inviting the government to starve my children." So personally...blocking me affects my home. My way of life and the quality in which I live.

  • 37 Posted by brockways@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:13PM EDT Report Abuse

    in response to the telemarketer: i have just said no...and have also had the telemarketer get defensive and rude! also....what about healthcare workers who work the midnight shift? do you want me taking care of your family member with constant interrupted sleep? and no. i can't turn the phone off....i have children and a sick parent.

  • 38 Posted by shyyanne@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    they now have fax machines advertising to fax machines and private numbers....I get these calls at all hours...phone rings you pick it up & get either silence or intermittent beeps. last one was at 2am today. they get around the DNC list by using Canadian and other out of country phone #'s. so unfortunately even though I am on the DNC list I still and probably will continue to get these UNWANTED telemarketing, survey and charitable donation calls. I hope they enjoy trying to get a donation out of my voice-mail

  • 40 Posted by lauriekoneill@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm most concerned about the ENFORCEMENT of the DNC list. I get bombarded by telemarketers and recorded advertisements. No matter how many times I tell them to "take my number off their list," they continue to call. I'll support anything that helps compliance of the DNC list. However, simply "making it permanent" doesn't necessarily do anything except give lip service to the idea of the DNC list. People change their phone numbers all the time, and the numbers are reissued to another customer. What I want is to see some crackdown on those who defy the DNC list!

  • 41 Posted by lonehawk241 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    The big problem with #13's comment is that they call at bad times and they usually don't take no for an answer,when you say no then the high pressure starts and then they get hung up on

  • 43 Posted by guslaverty@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:14PM EDT Report Abuse

    I am not convinced that the "Do Not Call List" is working properly, I am on the list and I still get telemarketing calls. I do agree that something needs to be done, and I agree with everyone else about doing something about junk mail.

  • 44 Posted by eileenradcliffe@ameritech.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    BTW... your FAX numbers should be on that do no call list also. Unsolicited FAXs are also illegal. At least according to my Realtor Association.

  • 45 Posted by arm911@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    to telemarketer: If you hit the streets to do door to door you will find most communities and municipaslities have legal restrictions that surround solicitations. Gee, sounds like the do not call listing. Too bad your so called profession refuses to respect the law in the name of free speech. Just a little hypocritical!

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