by James H. Dimmitt




The Federal Trade Commission has announced that it will roll out it's
National Do Not Call Registry beginning July 1, 2003.  This is great
news for consumers who have grown tired of annoying sales calls by
pesky telemarketers.




Consumers will be able to register online at a website established by
the FTC beginning July 1, the agency said.   This is a free service
and registration renewal to be placed on the list would occur every 5
years.




Additionally, a toll-free number will be available where people can
register by phone.  This program will be introduced over an eight-week
period beginning on the West Coast.  The program will spread across
the country until it becomes nationwide by the end of August.




Telemarketers will be required to "clean" their call lists by matching
their list against the national "do not call" list every 90 days
starting in September 2003.




Companies who call listed people will be subject to fines of up to
$11,000 per violation.  Enforcement will begin in October 2003.



Both the web site address and toll free number will be announced by
the FTC in June.




Caution:  There have already been reports of scam artists and identity
thieves calling people to request or confirm personal information in
regards to the Do Not Call List.




NEVER give your personal information such as your social security
number or a credit card number to prove your age or identity.  No one
from the government or any other agency will call to confirm your
information.  



This is an "opt-in" service only, meaning you must initiate your
registration when the service becomes available this summer.
The Federal Trade Commission has announced that it will roll out 
itÕs National Do Not Call Registry beginning July 1, 2003. 
This is great news for consumers who have grown tired of
annoying sales calls by pesky telemarketers.



Consumers will be able to register online at a website established
by the FTC beginning July 1,the agency said.   This is a free
service and registration renewal to be placed on the list would
occur every 5 years.



Additionally, a toll-free number will be available where people
can register by phone.  This program will be introduced over an
eight-week period beginning on the West Coast.  The program
will spread across the country until it becomes nationwide by
the end of August.



Telemarketers will be required to ÒcleanÓ their call lists by
matching their list against the national Òdo not callÓ list
every 90 days starting in September 2003.



Companies who call listed people will be subject to fines of
up to $11,000 per violation. Enforcement will begin in October
2003.



Both the web site address and toll free number will be announced
by the FTC in June.



Caution:  There have already been reports of scam artists and
identity thieves calling people to request or confirm personal
information in regards to the Do Not Call List.



NEVER give your personal information such as your social security
number or a credit card number to prove your age or identity. 
No one from the government or any other agency will call to
confirm your information.  



This is an Òopt-inÓ service only, meaning you must initiate
your registration when the service becomes available this summer.




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© 2003,  James H. Dimmitt
James is editor of "TO YOUR CREDIT", a free newsletter published every
two weeks.  Subscribe to the newsletter by visiting 
http://www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com