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HARRISBURG, Aug. 1 – State Rep. Babette Josephs, D-Phila., is reminding residents that their registration with the Pennsylvania Do Not Call list could expire soon and subject them to unwanted phone calls.
The state's Do Not Call law, passed in 2002, allows residents to register their phone numbers on the Do Not Call list for five years to avoid getting calls from telemarketers. If a phone number was first listed in 2002, it must be re-registered by Sept. 15, or else it will expire on Nov. 1.
"I received a lot of feedback about this law and people were very happy to have this option, which includes both regular phone numbers and cell phone numbers," Josephs said. "Residents should make sure that they are still registered so they can continue being free from unwanted calls."
Registration on Pennsylvania's Do Not Call list automatically registers residents with the national Do Not Call program.
To register or re-register, visit www.nocallsplease.com or call 1-888-777-3406. Registration is free.
If people who are registered continue to receive unwanted telemarketing phone calls, complaints can be filed with the Bureau of Consumer Protection in the Attorney General's Office by calling 1-800-441-2555 or online at www.attorneygeneral.gov. Violation of the law carries a civil penalty of up to $1,000 and as high as $3,000 if the person contacted is 60 or older.
However, Josephs noted, the law does not prevent telemarketers from calling those with whom they had an established business relationship within 12 months preceding the call, or telemarketers calling on behalf of charities, political parties or candidates.
For more information about Pennsylvania's Do Not Call List, contact Josephs' office at 215-893-1515.
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