On June 27, 2003, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) opened the National Do Not Call Registry in order to comply with the Do-Not-Call Implementation Act.
The Do-Not-Call Implementation Act of 2003 (Public Law No. 108-10, was H.R. 395 of the 108th Congress) was sponsored by Representatives Billy Tauzin and John Dingell and signed into law by President George W. Bush on March 11, 2003. This law establishes the FTC's National Do Not Call Registry in order to facilitate compliance with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991.
The registry is intended to give U.S. consumers an opportunity to limit the telemarketing calls they receive. Registration for the Do-Not-Call list began on June 27, 2003 and enforcement began on October 1, 2003. Since January 1, 2005, telemarketers covered by the registry have up to 31 days (initially the period was 90 days) from the date a number is registered to cease calling that number. An individual may register their home and mobile phone numbers for free for a period lasting five years and may re-register in advance of registry expiration to maintain continuous protection. If an individual does not want to register a number on the national registry, he can still prohibit individual telemarketers from calling by asking the caller to put the called number on the company’s do-not-call list.
Cell phone numbers need not be included on the registry to avoid unsolicited calls. FCC regulations prohibit telemarketers from calling a cellular phone number with an automatic dialer. In 2005, a rumor began circulating via e-mail that cell phone providers were planning on making their number directories available to telemarketers. The FTC responded by clarifying that cell phones cannot be called by telemarketers. Similarly, fax numbers do not need to be included in the registry due to existing federal laws and regulations that prohibit the sending of unsolicited faxes.
To register by telephone (US), consumers may call 1-888-382-1222.
Companies such as Call Compliance have created ways to help telemarketers by blocking calls they make to Do Not Call numbers
