Phoenix -- Telemarketing is a multi-million dollar business that affects all of us. Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich wants to point out that one of the best ways to reduce the number of unwanted and unsolicited phone calls is to sign up for the free National Do Not Call Registry. The National Do Not Call Registry protects residential and cell phone numbers. The registry is managed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and enforced by the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Placing your number on the Do Not Call Registry will stop most telemarketing calls, but not all. Certain calls, such as those from political organizations, candidates and businesses, which you already have an existing relationship with, are exempt under the Do Not Call Registry.
“I want Arizonans to know that they do not have to deal with bothersome calls from telemarketers,” said Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich. “If you are on the list and receive calls from unsolicited telemarketers, there are rules in place to protect you from this unwanted contact.”
To register your home or cell phone, call 1-888-382-1222 or go online at www.donotcall.gov. Most telemarketers should not call your number once it has been on the registry for thirty-one (31) days. If you are registered and you continue to receive calls, you can file a complaint at the registry’s website at www.donotcall.gov or by calling the registry’s toll-free number at 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236).
In addition to registering on the National Do Not Call Registry, Attorney General Brnovich offers these tips with respect to unsolicited calls:
- Remember that telemarketers may only call you between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
- Don't be pressured to make an immediate decision. Get ALL information in writing before you agree to buy anything.
- Don't give your credit card, checking account, Social Security number or other personal identifying information to unknown callers.
- The FTC does not allow private companies or third parties to register consumers for the National Do Not Call Registry. Websites or phone solicitations claiming that they can or will register a consumer’s name or phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry, especially those that charge a fee, are most likely a scam.
For more information, media may contact the Attorney General's Office at (602) 542-5025.