Central Opt-Out

Unsolicited Telemarketing

It's happened to all of us. We sit down to dinner, and five minutes later the telephone rings. Who could it be? Chances are it's another telemarketer trying to peddle a special deal on their latest product or service.

The key to stopping these intrusive calls is very simple, but most people do not understand how they operate well enough to say and do the right things to virtually eliminate unwanted telemarketing calls. I say "virtually" because there are certain organizations that are exempt from most of the laws governing telemarketers, such as political organizations and charities.

Do you want to virtually eliminate unwanted telemarketing? Here is what you need to know.

Nine Words

The first step in stopping the calls is the secret of the "nine words." If you say these magic words, you will not (legally) hear from the same telemarketer for several years. The magic words are:

Please add me to your do not call list.

Write this down and keep it by your phone as a reminder. If you say this at any point during their call, they are legally required to add your phone number to a special list of phone numbers they cannot call. Once you say this, they will generally give you a phone number you can call if you have any questions about their policies, say thank you and hang up.

You must, however, say the words exactly as shown above (well, you don't have to say please). Do not say "please remove me from your list" as this will only remove you from their current list. If they purchase another list with your phone number on it, they would be allowed to call you again. The nine words will generally get you removed from their existing lists as well as any new lists they purchase that include your number.

Saying the "nine words" is the easiest and most effective way to get off of telemarketing lists that you are already on.

National Do Not Call Registry

The National Do Not Call Registry is a national do not call list that is maintained by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Once you have registered your number on this list, most telemarketers will not be allowed to call you for five years. Certain organizations are exempt, such as political organizations, charities, telephone surveyors and companies with which you have an existing business relationship.

For more information on this service, please use the links below.

• National Do Not Call Registry
• Information from the FTC

Telephone Preference Service

NOTE: The DMA is phasing out the Telephone Preference Service in favor of the National Do Not Call Registry mentioned above. Starting in December 2006, the DMA will only accept TPS registrations from consumers in the states of PA, ME, and WY.

The Telephone Preference Service is maintained by the Direct Marketing Association, and is similar to the National Do Not Call Registry. Members of the DMA are required to screen their lists against the TPS list and remove matching phone numbers. Once you have registered with the TPS, your number will remain on the list for five years.

For more information on this service, please use the links below.

• Telephone Preference Service
• Direct Marketing Association

Electronic Devices

There are several small electronic devices on the market that claim to send a signal to the computers that dial your phone number which will remove you from their lists. As explained above, simply being removed from their existing lists is not as effective as requesting to be added to their do not call lists. Since you have to answer the phone for these devices to work anyway, why not take the extra few seconds to say the magic words. You will be better protected, and you'll save about $30.00.

I personally have no experience with these devices, and have eliminated telemarketing without them. If I can do it, so can you.