Photo Courtesy of Iowa Attorney General’s Office
The multi-pronged plan includes requiring telemarketers to use correct caller ID information.
By Forum Staff
At a time when the number of Do Not Call complaints in New York is on the rise, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a multi-pronged plan to protect New Yorkers from deceptive telemarketing practices.
The initiative centers around newly signed legislation requiring telemarketers to use correct caller identification information and also includes deploying Division of Consumer Protection staff throughout the state to warn consumers about telemarketing scams and facilitate same-day consumer complaint filing, as well as increasing transparency in Do Not Call Law enforcement by posting settlements with violators.
“Despite already being listed on the Do Not Call registry, New Yorkers continue to find themselves bombarded by calls from opportunists looking to defraud them out of their hard-earned money,” Cuomo said. “This unscrupulous behavior and disregard of the law is unacceptable and we’re taking action to not only hold those who violate the law accountable, but also increase transparency and stop these deceiving marketing practices in their tracks.”
Last week, Cuomo signed legislation requiring telemarketers to use correct caller ID information. According to the administration, many consumers complain that when a telemarketer calls, their caller identification service does not display the caller’s correct telephone information, such as the caller’s name or phone number. This is especially problematic for consumers who have signed up for the National Do Not Call Registry, since they have neither the name of the telemarketer nor the number from which they are calling, making it difficult to report violations of the Do Not Call law. The new law seeks to remedy that problem.
The Division of Consumer Protection reminds residents to report each and every unwanted call. Here are guidelines to place your phone number on the Do Not Call Registry and to file a complaint:
- File a Do Not Call complaint: If you receive an unsolicited telemarketing call after your number has been on the Do Not Call Registry for more than 31 days, you can file a Do Not Call complaint with the Federal Trade Commission online at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236).
- File a complaint for each unwanted call: If your number is registered, you can and should file a complaint for every unsolicited telemarketing call you receive. Violators of the Do Not Call Law are subject to an $11,000 fine for every call they make to your phone.
- Register for Do Not Call online or by phone: If you are not registered, you can place your home landline or mobile phone number on the Do Not Call Registry online at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236). Once you register your phone number, telemarketers not exempt from the Do Not Call Registry have up to 31 days from the date you register to stop calling you. Exemptions from the Do Not Call Law include calls from or on behalf of political organizations, charities, and telephone surveyors. Companies with which you have an existing business relationship may still call you for up to 18 months (unless you ask them to place your number on their own do-not-call list).
For information about a Do Not Call outreach location near you, visit dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection/informing/donotcalloutreachlocations.htm.
