We’ve all been there. The phone rings and the dreaded “unknown caller,” obscure area code, or “1-800-some annoying telemarketer” pops up on the caller ID. Frustrating? Yes. Borderline harassing? Sometimes.

Most folks don’t realize that many telemarketing companies may be breaking the law by calling you repeatedly once you have requested that they do not call.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has created a National Do Not Call Registry which allows consumers to limit the number of telemarketing phone calls they receive. Telemarketing agencies are required to remove your phone number from their call lists within 31 days or they are in violation of federal law.

Registering your number requires nothing more than a valid email address and a few minutes of your time. Simply go to the Do Not Call Registry website and follow the steps to place your phone number on the Do Not Call list. If you do not have an active email address, you may also call 1-888-382-1222.

In addition to the remedies available through the Do Not Call Registry, consumers have additional rights under federal law. Even if you choose not to register your number on the national Do Not Call list, you may still prevent individual telemarketing agencies from contacting you by requesting that they place you on their own Do Not Call lists. This request does not have to be made in writing. A simple “please place me on your do not call list” is all it takes to have your phone number removed! If an agency continues to contact you after this request has been made, you may have some form of legal recourse available to you.

For additional information about consumer rights involving telemarketing phone calls, visit the FTC website.

Remember folks, at the end of the day there’s no substitute for having a lawyer of your own.

And as always, our blog postings are not legal advice, nor do they constitute an attorney-client relationship!