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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  • 6 Posted by stafabbygl on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    They should add any thing to the list that is an automated call... such as realtors, timeshare calls, etc... they always call late.

  • 7 Posted by rhinofriend1@att.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    It's good to see some of the branches of government meant to protect the interests of the government finally using some common sense. Many thanks for this update.

  • 8 Posted by chattocast@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:22PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have 3 problems with these calls: #1. All the calls from so called charities. Often they are supposedly firemen, police officers or veterans. #2. Calls from India and here in the states saying I have won a present and need to have it sent to my home. #3. Despicable so called businesses trying to sneak around the no call list. Lets have a blanket no call list with no so called charities, prizes, or politicians calling us. SpeyCaster

  • 9 Posted by missblues@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    this is great wishwe could add unwanted e mails to list for example eliteherbal company i get porn emails every 5 minutes from them

  • 10 Posted by lscraig1951 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    I hope that this really happens, but many companies are now issuing cell phones for these calls and many of them cannot be blocked by call blocker. Now I only answer phone numbers that I recognize. I wish the unknown name callers could be blocked permanently. Legitimate callers names should be listed or a company name listed as whose calling.

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

    Speaking from a telemarketer point of view... It's just another form of advertisement. Like a television commercial we can change the channel with a click so what's the harm in listening to some one who might have a message that you need to hear? Are we really so weak that we don't have the courage to just say no? Do we really need to invite government into our homes and make decisions for us? Maybe the message that I am telemarketing about is important. The Do Not Call list is a form of control of our freedom, our constitutional "Right to free speech." no matter how that speech reaches you? Think about it. Pass a "Zip your Lips" type of bill like this and the next thing you know our freedom of expression will be suppressed. There is nothing wrong with saying "no thankyou". From a Telemarketer we don't get offended.

  • 13 Posted by davidmayers@prodigy.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    Hooray! Now if they would only come up with a DO NOT Mail list for junk mail. Just think of all the trees we could save, and all the trash we wouldn't have.

  • 14 Posted by tomsawyer48@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    They say I have a bussiness so they have a right to call me. What a bunch of bull s . Don't they know that I signed up so I can have peace in my home ??

  • 16 Posted by lay3r3 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    Ditto the politicians. Kind of ironic that when a law impacts them directly it doesn't get approved. I consider political calls in the same exact light as sales/marketing. Ban them all. I acutually file a complaint against the call each time I get one even though they aren't restricted :)

  • 17 Posted by rcm0502 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    Legitimate charities would not call so frequently, so lets not tar them with the same broad brush.

  • 18 Posted by hukkfinn@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    If nothing else works, I use my software for my fax to tell my phone your are now a fax - not a phone. they always remove a fax number from call lists.

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

    To Bad the law has no teeth. I get about 10% less calls than before the list. The other 90% still get through and still make me mad right before I hang up on them.

  • 22 Posted by jimw501 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    To intermountain@sbcglobal.net: I pay for my phone line each month. I have the right to decide who uses it and who does not. This why my number is unlisted and unpublished.By placing my numbers on the do not call list, I am telling ALL telemarketers that I have no interest in ANY sales pitches from people I do not know selling products/services that I do not want. Besides, you guys seem to call at times that are inconvenient and won't take "I'm busy" for an answer. Go away and leave the rest of us alone. Believe me, if we need/want what you are offering - we will find you.

  • 23 Posted by bry658@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:14PM EDT Report Abuse

    I signed up in 2003 and I still get calls from every kind of telemarketer out there. I tell them I'm on the "Do not call list" and they still presist... I don't think this bill is going to benifit anyone. No matter what , they will call!

  • 24 Posted by danmuntner on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    apparently the telemarketers don't make meaningful contributions to the members of the house and senate

  • 25 Posted by hrlygramp@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    Dear Telemarketer... They should pass a bill routing all telemarketer calls to YOUR house at suppertime....

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