The Telemarketing Industry's "Do-Not-Call" List
The Direct Marketing Association maintains the Telephone Preference Service that lists residential numbers of people who do not want to be called.

According to the DMA's Web site, "All DMA members are required to run their telemarketing list of prospective customers against the TPS file, to remove the individuals who have registered with TPS from their calling lists."

Any individual can place their number on the DMA's list for five years by clicking here.
(NOTE: The DMA, like many states, charges $5 to process each phone number)

State Do Not Call Lists
Several states have already developed their own "Do Not Call" lists and systems to reduce unwanted telemarketing calls. Below are the states that already have systems in place and information on how to add your name to the list.

Federal Trade Commissioner Outlines Do-Not-Call Status
After weeks of legal decisions and legislative action, people may still sign up for the nation's so-called "Do-Not-Call" list, but the courts will ultimately decide whether the list will take effect. Timothy Muris, the head of the Federal Trade Commission that runs the list, discusses the continuing standoff in court and what consumers can expect in the meantime. (10/13/03)

Federal Judge Declares Do-Not-Call List Unconstitutional
Update: A federal judge in Denver declared a new national registry designed to stop most unwanted telemarketing calls unconstitutional Thursday, just hours after both houses of Congress passed legislation aimed at nullifying another court's decision to halt the list's enactment earlier in the week. (9/25/03)

Congress Votes to Reinstate Do-Not-Call Registry
Update: Congress moved quickly Thursday to pass legislation ratifying the Federal Trade Commission's national "do-not-call" registry, designed to block most unwanted telemarketing calls, after a federal court late Tuesday halted the list's enactment. (9/25/03)

Court Halts Do-Not-Call List
RealAudio: Ray Suarez discusses the court's decision with Business Week's legal affairs correspondent, Lorraine Woellert.
Update: A federal court ruled late Tuesday that the Federal Trade Commission overstepped its authority in creating a national "do-not-call" list that would allow people to stop most unwanted telemarketing calls, leaving the list's final fate uncertain. (9/24/03)

National Do-Not-Call List Opens for Public Registrations
Update: The National "Do-Not-Call" list opened Friday for people who do not want to receive telemarketing calls. In the first hours of its operation, the free government service registered over 700,000 phone numbers.

Numbers can be registered online at the web address www.donotcall.gov. Consumers West of the Mississippi River are also able to register by telephone at 1-888-382-1222. The telephone registration option will be available nationwide later next month. (6/27/03)

Pres. Bush Signs Do-Not-Call Act
Update: President Bush signed the "Do-Not-Call Implementation Act" on Tuesday, creating a national "do-not-call" registry protecting consumers from unwanted telemarketing phone calls.

Under the new legislation, telemarketers must check the list every three months to ensure they do not call those who have placed their names on the registry. Telemarketers who violate the act may be fined up to $11,000 per infraction.

Calls from charities, surveys and on behalf of politicians are excluded from the bill.

The Federal Trade Commission is responsible for collecting fees from the telemarketing industry to fund the service, which will be free for the public. The registry is expected to cost $16 million for its first year. (3/11/03)

Putting Telemarketers on Hold
Eileen Harrington of the Federal Trade Commission and Matt Mattingley of the American Teleservices Association debate efforts to limit the 300 telemarketer calls that the average American receives each year. (1/1/03)