The National Do Not Call Registry is housed within the federal trade commission, the FTC. It was created in 2003 to stop unwanted calls like marketing and sales calls. If it’s not a sales call, it may not be blocked.
It is free for everyone in the U.S. to register their personal numbers on Do Not Call list, but it is meant for only personal phone numbers. It is not going to stop business phone calls or faxes. After you sign up, you still may receive phone calls for up to 31 days because it takes a little while for your phone number to get into the system.
How to Register for the Do Not Call Registry
To register your number at DO NOT Call Registry follow the following steps:
- Visit the National Do Not Call registry website via URL
- Sign in to their portal by using your previous account or sign up by making a new account.
- You can also register your number by simply calling 1-888-382-1222
More than one phone number can be registered, but it does not apply to business to business phone calls, and only three numbers can be registered at a time.
Calling Restrictions and Prohibited Practices
- Telemarketers or AI callers cannot call before 8am or after 9pm.
- They cannot be deceptive or abusive or lie about any of the terms in their offer when they’re calling you.
- They cannot ask you to pay with a cash money transfer by giving the pin from a reloadable debit card or a gift card.
- They also cannot ask you to pay by asking for your bank account information to create a type of check that you’ll never see or sign called a remotely created payment order.
Explore more about: AI Calling Disclosure Best Practices for Legal and Ethical Compliance
Which Calls are not Stopped by National Do Not Call Registry
The registry does not stop every unwanted phone call. You are still likely to get robo calls and scam calls. It does not stop calls from political organizations, charities, debt collectors, informational calls, people taking surveys, or scammers. It only blocks specific types of phone calls, specifically from telemarketers and AI calls about sales.
Debt collectors can still call you, but they are limited to the fair debt collection practices act. They are limited to calling you within reasonable hours, and they cannot contact you at your work if you’ve told them they can’t or your employer doesn’t allow it.
Informational calls like a cable company calling to say there is an outage in your area or a doctor’s office calling to confirm an appointment can access your phone number but they cannot legally try to sell you something.
Robocalls play a major role in scam activity. When you answer the phone and hear a recorded message, and that robocall tries to sell you something without written permission, it is illegal. If someone robocalls you without permission, it is a sign that it is a scam. If you have not given written permission for them to call, they should not be calling you. Pressing numbers during these calls can lead to more robocalls because it confirms your phone line is active and your number may be sold to other callers.
What You Need To Know About the DNC List as a Sales Professional
As a sales professional who makes cold reach or outbound calls, it’s important to know the nitty gritty of the National Do Not Call (DNC) list. This is because it helps you to stay compliant with legal regulations and avoid potential fines and penalties:
- Legal Compliance: Salespeople and marketers are legally obliged to not call any number enlisted in the DNC. This makes them practice their activities within legal boundaries.
- Avoiding Penalties: Violating the DNC list comes under legal violation and FTC is duty bound to take legal action against salespersons and their agencies that violate these rules, especially if they do so willingly . They can face substantial fines, penalties, reputational damages and even bans under DNC regulations.
- Building Trust and Reputation: As a business it’s very important to build trust and reputation among consumers. If you respect the priorities of your consumers and prospects by not calling those on the DNC list, you win their trust and build a positive reputation in industry. Companies with positive image and respectable practices are more liked and preferred by consumers than intrusive ones.
- Efficient Use of Resources: Cold outreaches are productive only when you target individuals who are more receptive and respond positively toward sales and marketing calls. If you are calling those you get offended by outreach, you are simply wasting your time and resources. This improves the efficiency of their sales efforts and potentially leads to better results.
It’s important for salespeople to familiarize themselves with the regulations surrounding the DNC list and ensure that their outreach practices align with legal requirements.
Other Call Blocking and Reporting Options
You can also block marketers and sellers from calling you by using following methods:
- Many mobile phones have built-in call blocking features. You can use them to prohibit sales and marketing calls.
- The telecom companies like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc. offer call blocking services for a fee.
- Moreover, you can also consider call blocking apps for this purpose.
- For landlines, call blocking devices or carrier services may be used.
Before using any of these options and services, users are advised to conduct thorough research on their plus points and negatives, read reviews, and understand how calls are being blocked. Unwanted phone calls can also be reported to consumer protection agencies and the FTC so that patterns can be identified and enforcement action can be taken.
FAQs about National Do Not Call Registry
1. What is the National Do Not Call Registry and what types of calls does it block?
The National Do Not Call Registry is a department that comes under the Federal Trade Commission. It was created with the sole purpose to stop sales and marketing calls from invading the personal lives of consumers. You can simply register your number in Do Not Call list to stop receiving sales and marketing calls
2. How do I register my phone number on the Do Not Call Registry?
To register your number at DO NOT Call Registry by visiting the National Do Not Call registry website via URL. Sign in to their portal by using your previous account or sign up by making a new account. Or you can also register your number by simply calling 1-888-382-1222
3. Are telemarketers and AI calling systems allowed to contact me at any time?
No, under TCPA, FCC, and Do not call regulations, both of them are not allowed to call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. Marketers are allowed to call during standard working time only to avoid disturbing consumers. Even, you cannot receive informational and debt calls during your working time if you have mentioned in call practices.
4. What types of calls are not stopped by the Do Not Call Registry?
The registry does not stop every unwanted phone call. You are still likely to get robo calls and scam calls. It does not stop calls from political organizations, charities, debt collectors, informational calls, people taking surveys, or scammers.
5. What is Phone Number Spoofing?
Phone Number Spoofing means masking a phone number to appear local or familiar. Scammers use this technique because people are more likely to answer calls from area codes they recognize. If you do not recognize the number, the general rule is to not answer. Legitimate callers will leave a real voicemail.
