The Law Dictionary

Your Free Online Legal Dictionary • Featuring Black’s Law Dictionary, 2nd Ed.

How To Stop Telemarketers From Calling Or Texting You

Unwanted sales calls and text messages can be both annoying and disruptive. Random solicitation calls and texts are not the reasons why people buy telephones and cell phones. Individuals have telephones and cell phones to be able to communicate with personal and professional contacts and to make and receive emergency calls.

For the majority of phone owners, telemarketing communications have become a real nuisance. When phones ring with calls or ping with text messages from solicitors and people don’t know who’s contacting them, they’ll generally stop what they’re doing or they’ll allow their sleep to be interrupted to answer incoming calls or to read text messages. It is very upsetting when the calls and texts are from telemarketers, especially when cell phone users are charged a fee for sending and receiving text messages. But, people don’t have to endure these calls and texts; there are several ways to curb, if not completely stop, these bothersome communications for free.

<strong>National Registries</strong>

The Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act (CAN-SPAM) was passed by Congress in 2003. This act prohibits telemarketers from sending messages or calling telephone owners with unwanted solicitations. However, phone owners can assist the federal government by subscribing to one or more of the national do-not-call registries. The following two websites are free to all phone owners.

1. The national do-not-call registry, www.dnc.gov, is the best place to subscribe both landline and cell phones. All someone has to do is go to the website, enter up to three telephone numbers and provide an email address. An email will be sent to a subscriber to verify the information.

2. The Federal Trade Commission’s do-not-call registry can be accessed online or by phone. The website, www.donotcall.gov, is where someone can list up to three phone numbers and an email address. The registry will send an email to the subscriber to verify the information. Individuals without computers can register their phone numbers on a do-not-call list by calling 1-888-382-1222.

<strong>State Registries</strong>

In addition to placing phone numbers on the national do-not-call registries, people can also list their numbers on their state’s do-not-call registry. At the current time, not all states provide this service. The website, www.donotcallprotection.com/state_do_not_call_list.signup , is where someone can find out if a state has this service and how to subscribe for the protection.

Both national and state registries also provide information and procedures for phone owners to use if they continue to receive unwanted calls and texts.

Disclaimer

This article contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. The Law Dictionary is not a law firm, and this page does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.