Status of the Massachusetts Do Not Call Registry in light of the recent federal court decision about the National Do Not Call Registry:
The recent decision made by the federal court in Denver that ruled that the National Do Not Call Registry violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and prohibited the Federal Trade Commission from implementing the Registry does not affect the Massachusetts Do Not Call Registry.
The Massachusetts Do Not Call Registry is currently in full force and effect and continues to protect those consumers that have signed on to it since it was established in late December 2002.
Massachusetts consumers still have the power to limit telemarketing calls to their homes.
Consumers may continue to sign on to the Massachusetts Do Not Call Registry to limit most unwanted telemarketing calls by calling 1-866-231-CALL (1-866-231-2255) or by registering on-line at www.Mass.Gov/donotcall.
Once your number is registered, most telemarketing calls must stop including calls from Massachusetts companies calling Massachusetts consumers as well as calls from out-of-state companies.
The calls that can continue to be made to those on the Massachusetts Do Not Call Registry include noncommercial polls or surveys, calls from tax-exempt organizations such as nonprofits, calls customers previously gave permission for businesses to make, calls made by businesses to existing customers, and a sales call in which a face-to-face meeting is required to complete a sale, such as a painter who needs to see a house to give an estimate.
If you have registered for the Massachusetts Do Not Call Registry and have received a call from a telemarketer, you should keep a record of the call, noting the date and time of the call, the name of the company providing the product or service, the name and address of the telemarketing firm, information about what it is they're selling, and the phone number of the caller - either by asking for it or by using caller ID.
Then you should lodge a written complaint with the Attorney General’s Office. A complaint form is available at www.mass.gov/ago or by calling 1-617-727-8400.
For more information about the Massachusetts Do Not Call law, please visit our web site at www.mass.gov/donotcall.
What is the Status of the National Do Not Call Registry?
The recent decision made in the federal court in Denver ruled that the National Do Not Call Registry violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and prohibited the Federal Trade Commission from implementing the Registry.
The Federal Trade Commission has indicated it will appeal that court’s decision.
For more information about the National Do Not Call Registry, please visit their web site at www.donotcall.gov. Other information concerning federal telemarketing laws is available at the Federal Trade Commission’s web site at www.ftc.gov and the Federal Communications Commission’s web site at www.fcc.gov.
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