What the National Do Not Call Registry does and doesn't stop, and how to report a call

The National Do Not Call Registry stops sales calls from legitimate telemarketers who follow the law. It does not block calls, and it does nothing against scammers. The FTC puts it plainly: the Registry is a list that tells registered telemarketers what numbers not to call, and it doesn't block calls (FTC).

So if you're registered and still getting a flood of robocalls, the Registry isn't broken. Most of those calls come from people who were never going to obey it.

What does the Do Not Call Registry stop?

Once your number is on the Registry, companies covered by the rules generally can't make telemarketing sales calls to it. Under the FCC's version of the rule, no one may make a telephone solicitation to a residential number on the national registry, and the registration must be honored indefinitely, until you cancel it or the number is removed (47 CFR 64.1200(c)(2), eCFR).

Key facts from the FTC:

• Registration is free and never expires. A number is removed only if it's disconnected and reassigned, or if you ask to remove it.
• Sales calls can take up to 31 days to stop. Your number shows up on the Registry the next day, but telemarketers get time to update their lists.
• Both landlines and cell phones can be registered (FCC).

Which calls are still allowed if I'm on the Registry?

The FTC lists several kinds of calls the Registry doesn't cover:

1. Political calls.
2. Charitable calls.
3. Debt collection calls.
4. Purely informational calls, such as a service appointment confirmation.
5. Surveys.
6. Companies you've recently done business with, or that have your written permission. If you ask them to stop, they must.

The FTC notes that political, charity, debt collection, informational and survey calls can't include a sales pitch. Business phone numbers and fax lines aren't covered by the Registry.

How recent is "recently"? Under the FCC's definition, an established business relationship lasts 18 months after a purchase or transaction, or 3 months after you made an inquiry or application. It ends sooner if you ask that company not to call you (47 CFR 64.1200(f)(5)).

Does the Registry stop robocalls?

Not the illegal ones. The FTC says illegal robocalls are generally scams, whether or not your number is on the Registry. A robocall trying to sell you something is illegal unless the company has your direct written permission.

When one comes in, the FTC's advice is:

1. Hang up.
2. Don't press any buttons. It can lead to more calls.
3. Report it to the FTC.

How do I register my number?

1. Go to donotcall.gov, or call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236). If you call, you must call from the phone you want to register (FTC).
2. If you register online, click the confirmation link in the email within 72 hours.
3. Wait up to 31 days for sales calls to stop.

Many states also run their own do-not-call lists. The FCC suggests contacting your state's public service commission or consumer protection office to find out.

How do I report an unwanted call?

The FTC has two reporting routes:

1. No money lost, just want to report a call: use the streamlined form at donotcall.gov.
2. You lost money, or you have information about the company or scammer: report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Include these details, according to the FTC:

• your phone number (the one that got the call),
• the number on your caller ID, even if you think it was spoofed,
• any number you were told to call back, and
• the date and time of the call, if you know them.

The FTC says it gets millions of reports a year and can't respond to each one. Instead, it analyzes reports to find and act against illegal callers.

You can also file a complaint with the FCC through its Consumer Complaint Center, choosing the "unwanted calls" category. The FCC says it uses complaints to guide policy and possible enforcement, and may share them with other agencies (FCC).

What else helps if the Registry isn't enough?

• Tell each legitimate company to put you on its internal do-not-call list. The FCC says telemarketers must comply immediately with a do-not-call request you make during a call. Federal rules require companies to honor that request for 5 years (47 CFR 64.1200(d)(6)).
• Ask your phone company about call blocking and labeling tools, and check your phone's built-in settings.
• Don't trust caller ID. If a caller claims to be from a company or agency, hang up and call back on an official number.
• Look up unfamiliar numbers before calling back, for example on NoCall.

This article is informational, not legal advice.