By: Jonathan D. Salant, Associated Press Writer (AP) The government wants to shorten the time it takes for consumers who sign up for the do-not-call list to start seeing a drop-off in telemarketing calls.
Following a congressional order, the Federal Trade Commission announced a plan Tuesday to require telemarketers to obtain updated lists of phone numbers every 30 days, rather than every three months.
For example, if someone signs up in April he or she could be added to the list in May, rather than July. It also means consumers could file complaints against unwanted callers after one month instead of having to wait three months.
The requirement that the FTC shorten the waiting period from three months to one month was included in the catchall spending bill for the 12 months ending Sept. 30, which passed Congress last month.
The FTC said it would seek comments on its proposal and when it should take effect. Before making a decision, the commission will accept comments for 10 days after the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register.
Last month, the new regulations took effect requiring telemarketing firms to identify themselves on Caller ID. The name displayed must either be the company trying to make a sale or the firm making the call.
The display must also include a phone number that consumers can call during regular business hours and ask that the company no longer call them. Firms in areas without Caller ID technology do not have to comply.
The do-not-call registry, which took effect in October, contains more than 56 million phone numbers.
Telemarketing companies have challenged the do-not-call regulations in court. They are waiting for a decision from the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver.
The newspaper industry, which uses telemarketing to solicit new subscriptions, has generally opposed the do-not-call rules.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here