You don’t need a lawyer to tell you about irritating spam calls. Reader’s Digest cites a study by YouMail that claims over 50 billion robocalls were made in 2021 (10% more than in 2020). The problem is getting worse, not better. The Do Not Call Registry was created in 2003 by the Federal Trade Commission to reduce spam calls. Unfortunately, you may still receive loads of “unknown callers” every day. Does the National Do Not Call Registry really work?
Get On the DNC List
The DNC list is a good first step to reducing unwanted telephone calls and texts. It’s easy to get on the national Do Not Call List. Visit https://www.donotcall.gov/ and follow these steps:
1. Verify an Existing Registration: Check to see if your phone is already on the list (you may have registered previously and forgotten).
2. Register Your Phone: Users may add home and mobile phone numbers to the Do Not Call List. You will need to provide a working email for verification.
3. You may also call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236) from the phone you want to register.
Your number(s) should appear on the list the following day, but it can take up to 31 days to see a reduction in the number of spam calls you receive. Registering is free; you may add as many numbers as you wish.
What to Know About the National Do Not Call Registry
The DNC list is great, but unfortunately, it will not stop all calls to your phone. It is a national registry of numbers that are not to be called by legitimate companies engaging in live or robotic sales calls. You may still receive calls from:
· Debt collectors
· Political organizations
· Charitable organizations
· Survey organizations
· Companies you’ve given permission to call
· People you don’t like
· Unscrupulous companies Basically, the Do Not Call Registry is like a digital “No Trespassing” sign on your phone. It keeps honest people honest – but dishonest people will ignore it. According to the FTC, legitimate companies that violate the Do Not Call rules can face a fine of more than $50,000 per call. Scammers and overseas spam callers use technology to spoof caller ID and completely ignore the DNC list.
Know Your Rights and Take Action
The federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (47 U.S.C. § 227) restricts unwanted calls and automated calling, including debt collection calls. Consumers have rights under this Act and may report callers to the Federal Trade Commission for violations. Some of the prohibitions include:
· Repeated calls
· Calls after a written request to stop
· Calls to your cell phone without your express consent
· Automated calls before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m.
Report Unwanted Calls
If you still receive telemarketing calls after your number has been on the DNC list for more than 31 days, you may report them on the DNC website. 1. Go to https://www.donotcall.gov/report.html.
2. Report the number that called or texted, the time of day, the subject of the call or text, and if the call was live or recorded.
3. Do not answer any repeated calls from the number.
You may also want to invest in a call-blocking application you can download to your phone. Your phone service provider may also offer robocall blocking for an additional fee. Many newer smartphones also have built-in features to handle spam calls.
Contact Us for Help with TCPA or Do Not Call Registry Violations
If you suspect your rights have been violated or a company has overstepped the law, learn more about the TCPA or contact an attorney at Parrish & Goodman, Attorneys at Law. Our skilled and knowledgeable lawyers can review your case for FREE, explain more about your rights, and recommend further steps.
