| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | attorney general’s office. |
| American consumers have spoken and have done | | | | According to the Direct Marketing Association |
| so loudly registering 50 million telephone numbers | | | | (DMA), companies spent over $80 billion on |
| with the FTC’s National Do-Not-Call list | | | | telemarketing in 2002. Marketers will now look to |
| since the registry debuted in July. | | | | focus those funds toward more traditional sales |
| This new telemarketing sales rule, which was | | | | pitches to reach their targets and avoid possible |
| scheduled to take effect October 1st, recently | | | | fines. Consumers should prepare for the onslaught |
| encountered two legal battles which could diminish | | | | of direct mail and internet advertising they will |
| the rule’s intent - to allow consumers to | | | | receive. |
| fight back against annoying telemarketing calls. | | | | To cut down on the amount of direct mail |
| The first legal battle against the national list | | | | marketing you receive, contact the DMA by letter |
| occurred in Oklahoma where a federal judge ruled | | | | and give them your full name, your complete |
| that the Federal Trade Commission did not have | | | | home address, your telephone number and your |
| the proper authority to oversee the do-not-call | | | | signature. Inform them that you want to register |
| list. On Monday, September 29th, President Bush | | | | for their opt-out Preference program. |
| signed legislation to give the FTC the proper | | | | They can be contacted at: |
| authority to administer the national registry. | | | | Direct Marketing Association |
| A second legal battle is now underway in Colorado | | | | Mail Preference Service |
| questioning the constitutionality of the do-not-call | | | | P.O. Box 643 |
| list. This second challenge contends that the list | | | | Carmel, NY 10512 |
| infringes upon the 1st amendment right of free | | | | This registration will stop mailings from about 80% |
| speech because it restricts commercial | | | | of companies for a period of five years. It will can |
| telemarketing calls but not those from non-profit | | | | take up to 90 days to honor your request if you |
| or political groups. | | | | contact them by mail. If you want a faster way |
| Even without the protections intended by the | | | | to opt-out of their list, then consider going |
| national do-not-call legislation, you can still control | | | | online to register for this service. You will need a |
| the amount of telemarketing pitches you receive | | | | credit card to pay the $5.00 charge to register |
| with these four easy steps. | | | | online at There is no charge to register by mail. |
| First, check to see if your state has it’s | | | | Another measure to take is to opt out |
| own do-not-call list. Many states created | | | | from pre-approved credit offers. The |
| their own registry prior to the debut of the | | | | nation’s three major credit bureaus provide |
| national list. You can check for state-by-state | | | | credit reports to a number of "information |
| do-not-call listings at | | | | vendors" or "resellers." These vendors use the |
| Whether your state has a list or not you can | | | | information in your credit report to compile lists of |
| request to be placed on any individual | | | | individuals who meet certain financial criteria. They |
| company’s do not call list. Write | | | | then sell them to companies that offer |
| down the name of the company and the date | | | | pre-approved credit cards or other lines of credit. |
| that you asked to be put on its do not call list. | | | | To have your name removed from these lists, |
| You should not receive further calls from that | | | | call (888) 567-8688. |
| company. Report violations to your state’s | | | | |