The Federal Trade Commission has finalized the fee schedule for access to the federal Do-Not-Call registry. The rule, which goes into effect September 1, 2005, sets access fees at $56 per area code, or $15,400 for access to 280 area codes or more. Telemarketers will still be able to obtain the first five area codes of data at no cost, and “exempt” entities may still access the registry for free.
The rules require telemarketers to renew their subscriptions to the list annually, and delete registered numbers from their call lists once every 31 days. The Do-Not-Call Web site informs telemarketers when their subscription account numbers expire and provides renewal instructions. Subscriptions can be renewed after—and up to 30 days prior to—expiration. To date, consumers have registered approximately 98 million telephone numbers on the registry, which accepts home land line and personal cell phone numbers.
Significance: Although the no-call list does not seem to rank as a front-burner issue for the FTC at this time, the agency does continue to publicize a steady trickle of enforcement actions against telemarketers who violate the no-call rules. Telemarketers should be careful to abide by the rules, and have a system in place for updates and renewals.