The National Do Not Call List Registry Isn’t the End-All-Be-All

The NDNCR is a great resource, and is certainly the first line of defense in the telemarketing trenches. The battle is not won there. If you have read some of our other articles, it should come as no surprise to you that there are a few loopholes in the NDNCR. You should make yourself aware of them so you are not surprised later on.

#1  No Business Numbers
The Registry is exclusively for personal phone numbers (landline or cell). Any business to business calls will not be subject to The National Do Not Call Registry.

#2  Excluding #1, Not All Calls Can Be Stopped
Just because you put your number in the capable hands of the US Government, doesn’t mean all telemarketing calls will stop. Charities, political parties or affiliated organizations, surveyors, and businesses which you have already given your number to in the name of business can all still call you. You must ask to be taken off their call list.

#3  Yes, Political Campaigns
I know it is annoying every year, but political solicitations are not at all covered by the National Do Not Call Registry. Those telemarketers calling to ask for donations to the campaign trail of a certain candidate are completely within the law. However, you can make a request to each individual organization asking for contributions to not call you again. They are then are required to honor the said request. Assuming they violate this, they could be subject to fines to the tune of $11,000.

#4  Surveys, Not Just For Paper
These can be tricky. The call is only allowed to operate outside the regulation of The Registry if it is for the sole purpose of conducting a survey. The second that person on the other end tried to sell you something, all bets are off.

#5  You Buy It, You Hear It

Once you enter into business with a company, them calling to follow up, offer other deals, or optional warranties is not at all a violation of the National Do Not Call Registry. They can still call you 18 months after you have done any kind of business with them. Again, you will have to ask them to remove your name and number from their calling lists. After which the consequences can be exactly the same as stated before. If you make an inquiry to a company, be it a application, quote, or otherwise, they can call you up to three months after. It is important to remember that if you make a specific request for the company not to call you, they are not allow, subsequent violations are punishable by fines.
So there is still a chance that the NDNCR will be enough to fend off unwanted calls, but if you find yourself dealing with any of the above, you may need to seek further measures. Visit our post When The Do Not Call Registry Just Isn’t Good Enough.