Better Business Bureau
serving Eastern North Carolina warns consumers that scam artists are making
phony phone calls claiming to represent the National Do Not Call Registry.
According to
DoNotCall.gov, “The calls claim to provide an opportunity to sign up for the
Registry. These calls are not coming from the Registry or the Federal Trade
Commission, and you should not respond to these calls. To add your number to
the Registry you can call 888-382-1222 from the phone you wish to register, or
go click on ‘Register a Phone Number’ in the left column of this page.”
The National Do Not Call
Registry gives consumers an opportunity to limit the telemarketing calls they
receive. Once consumers register their phone number, telemarketers have up to
31 days from the date the telephone number is registered to stop calling.
BBB reminds consumers:
·
Do
not provide personal information to unknown callers, including bank
information, Social Security Numbers and contact information.
·
If
your number is already registered with the Do Not Call Registry, your
registration does not expire. You can verify if and when your number was
registered by going to DoNotCall.gov.
The Federal Trade
Commission does not allow private companies or other third parties to register
consumers for the National Do Not Call Registry. BBB advises consumers to
beware of Web sites or phone solicitations that claim they can register a
consumer’s name or phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry for a fee.
FCC regulations prohibit
telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers. As
automated dialers are standard in the industry, most telemarketers are barred
from calling consumers on their cell phones without their consent. However, consumers
can still register their cell phone number if they prefer to.
Consumers should visit
DoNotCall.gov to file a complaint with the National Do Not Call Registry if they
are still receiving unwanted phone calls after their number is on the registry
for 31 days.
For more information,
visit bbb.org.
