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Mainers who registered their telephone number under the federal do-not-call list may soon be receiving calls from telemarketers once again.
Under the current Federal Trade Commission law, people are allowed to register their telephone number on a list which prevents telemarketers from calling their home. Once a particular number is on the list there is a 90-day grace period; after that date, if a telemarketer calls the home, there is a number registrants can call and complain to.
Telemarketing companies are required to cover the costs of the program by purchasing the do-not-call lists from the government at a cost of $25 per area code with a $7,375 maximum annual charge. If a consumer does receive a call after the grace period and files a complaint, the FTC will compile it and use it to fine or prosecute repeat offenders.
The do-not-call list was created in 2003 and, according to the registry’s Web site, there are now currently over 145 million Americans on the list, with nearly 650,000 of them being Mainers. If Congress doesn’t vote to extend the law, people could be seeing their registration run out as early as June 2008. Members of the state’s congressional delegation feel confident that the existing phone number list will be extended.
An extension of the list is supported by all members of the state’s congressional delegation with even the possibility of a permanent list in which once a number is registered, it will never be removed.
“I supported the legislation that created the current do-not-call list and believe it has been very effective in helping to eliminate unwanted telephone calls to homes throughout the nation,” U.S. Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine said. “Requiring individuals to reregister their numbers every five years imposes a needless burden, particularly on the elderly. I support efforts to make registration permanent.”
“The do-not-call registry is an important tool for consumers to protect themselves from unnwanted phone calls. I have my own phone on the do-not-call list,” U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, D-Maine said. “Phone numbers initially placed on the list five years ago are now coming up for renewal, and I support the automatic renewal of numbers currently on the list.”
Tom Allen, U.S. Representative, D-Maine also strongly supports the renewal. Allen co-sponsored the new legislation in the Senate that would strengthen and extend it. He also supports exempting charitable organizations and political parties from the list.
Currently, the list only applies to commerical telemarketers. There are some in the House that think the list should be further extended due to complaints that there have been non-profit organizations using similar telemarketing techniques in their calls.
To register a telephone number on the federal do-not-call list, go to donotcall.gov and fill in the form. The registry will respond by sending you an e-mail; you must click on a link in the e-mail to complete your registration. You can also register by calling (888)-382-1222 from the number you want to register.
To verify your registration or file a complaint, follow the same procedures. Filing a complaint requires your phone number, the date you received the call and either the name or number of the company that called you.
