Seniors Can Look Forward to Stopping Unwanted Phone Calls in 2003 - Maybe!

Senior citizens can look forward to a reduction in the number of telemarketers calling their homes in the new year, if new regulations establishing a national "do not call" registry by the Federal Trade Commission are funded by Congress.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has amended the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) to give consumers a choice about whether they want to receive most telemarketing calls. Consumers  will be able to put their phone numbers on a national “do not call” registry and it will be illegal for most telemarketers to call a number listed on the registry.

Once the Commission gets Congressional approval for funding, it will begin implementing the registry. Consumers will be able to begin signing up for the national “do not call” registry about four months later. About three months after that, the FTC will begin enforcing the registry, and consumers who have signed up will start receiving fewer calls. Consumers will be able to register for free online or by calling a toll-free number.

The FTC has already established a Website to keep consumers informed on this new national registry. It will also provide information for online registration. To visit their Website - Click Here.