Georgians Can Sign up For National No-Call List Beginning July 1^st

ATLANTA … Secretary of State Cathy Cox announced today that Georgians can register online beginning next week for the National Do-Not-Call List to block many unwanted telemarketing calls.

Online registration can be done free of charge beginning July 1^st through the Federal Trade Commission website www.donotcall.gov. Nationwide telephone registration will be available one week later. To register by telephone call 1-888-382-1222 (or 1-866-290-4236 for TTY service for the hearing-impaired) from the home or personal cell phone you wish to list. Georgians must register by August 31^st to be included on the list.

Beginning in September, telemarketers will be required to cross check their lists with the national database every three months. Those who violate the new law could be fined up to $11,000 per violation. Consumers would be able to file complaints by phone or online to an automated system.

Federal regulators say consumers should see a decrease in telemarketing calls once enforcement begins in October.

Georgians who have already signed up for Georgia’s No-Call List are encouraged to also register for the national list to take advantage of additional federal telemarketing regulations. For more information on the Georgia No-Call List contact the Public Service Commission toll-free at (800) 282-5813 or visit their website at www.ganocall.com

Exemptions to the National Do-Not-Call List protections include companies calling customers who have bought, leased or rented from the company within the past 18 months. Telemarketers may also call consumers who have inquired about or applied for service with the company during the past three months. Charities using their own staff and/or volunteers (not telemarketing firms) to make calls, surveys and calls on behalf of politicians also are exempt.