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The Truth About Wireless Phones and the Do-Not-Call List

FCC FAQ: “You may be one of many consumers who have received emails saying you’re about to be assaulted by unwanted telemarketing calls to your wireless phone. Rest assured that placing telemarketing calls to wireless phones is – and  always has been – illegal in most cases.  Contrary to what some email campaigns are saying, the federal government does not maintain and is not establishing a separate Do-Not-Call list for wireless phone numbers. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) established the national Do-Not-Call list to enable consumers to reduce the number of unwanted telemarketing calls to their residential or personal wireless phones. Wireless phone subscribers have always been able to add their personal wireless phone numbers to the national Do-Not-Call list, either online, or by calling toll-free to 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number they wish to register. The do-not-call rules require callers that are not exempt from the rules to stop telemarketing calls 30 days after you register a number. There is no deadline for registering a number on the national Do-Not-Call list. There is also no longer any need to re-register a number – it will stay on the national Do-Not-Call list until you cancel your registration or discontinue service.

  • How to File a Complaint: If you receive an unwanted telemarketing call that you think violates the do-not-call rules, you can file a complaint using an online complaint form. There is no charge for filing a complaint. You can also file your complaint with the FCC’s Consumer Center by calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322).”
  • Via Bloomberg Law – “These new regulations, adopted by the FCC on July 11, 2012, will require businesses to obtain “prior express written consent” before placing telemarketing calls to mobile phones using an automatic telephone dialing system (ATDS) or an artificial or prerecorded voice (47 C.F.R. § 64.1200(a)(2)). The same regulations will now also require businesses to obtain “prior express written consent” before placing telemarketing calls to residential lines using an artificial or prerecorded voice (47 C.F.R. § 64.1200(a)(3)). As a result, effective Oct. 16, oral consent is not enough.”

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