The Associated Press

September 25, 2003
  • Congress approved money for the list to give consumers a way to block many unwanted telemarketing calls.

  • The registry is scheduled to take effect Wednesday for people who signed up last summer. People who sign up now would have sales calls blocked beginning in December.

  • Nearly 51 million home and cellular telephone numbers have been placed on the list since the sign-up began in June. Consumers can register phone numbers at www.donotcall.gov or by calling toll-free at 888-382-1222. They must reregister after five years.

  • Telemarketers who call listed people could be fined up to $11,000 for each violation. Consumers will be able to file complaints at the same Web site and phone number.

  • The Federal Trade Commission's rules require telemarketers to check the list every three months by visiting the Web site telemarketing.donotcall.gov to see who doesn't want to be called.

  • Government regulators expect the list will block 80 percent of telemarketing calls.

  • Calls from charities, pollsters and on behalf of politicians are exempt. A company may call someone on the list if that person has bought, leased or rented anything from the business within the prior 18 months, or if that person has inquired about or applied for something from the company during the last three months.