Californians Can Register For Do-Not-Call List

linuxwrangler writes "In preparation for the national do not call registry, California's Attorney General has established a pre-registration site for California residents. Based on how slow the site already is, this is going to be one popular program. The AG's announcement also mentions that they have shut down some scam sites offering do-not-call registration so caveat emptor. Are any other states offering similar services?"

phone phreaks

[BortQ]

How about making a companion Please-Call-Me list? It might be valuable for some slashdot readers.

Mod story up

[forged]

After all the talks about this long-waited-for event, why is this story not on the front page today ?

Re:Mod story up

[uncoveror]

Kentucky's do not call list works! Now that California is starting one, all California slashdotters should sign up. You will be glad you did. They will never interrupt your dinner to pitch you something again. The worst telemarketers were burglar alarm pitchmen. They would use a scary tone of voice and abrupt language to make you wonder if the caller was really a burglar casing your house. I am so glad I don't get those any more.

Loopholes

[splattertrousers]

There are too many loopholes in this law. Even if you are on the list, you can get calls from political parties, calls from charities, calls from business smaller than 5 people, and calls from companies with whom you have done business in the last 18 months.

It looks like I'll still have to pay the fee to my phone company to block all the telemarketers. (It costs me something like $7 per month, which sucks, but at least I don't get any more calls.)

Re:Loopholes

[realdpk]

Ya know, there's an easier way to stop getting calls, and it doesn't require paying the extortionists. :)

Given California's current financial status...

[HotNeedleOfInquiry]

They will probably turn around and sell the list along with an exemption from enforcement to the highest bidder.

Post them here

[quintessent]

Everyone just post your phone number and other ID info here, and we'll forward it along to the national registry. You can also include an e-mail address.

At last... no more spam.

Pennsylvania

[ErnieD]

PA has had a do-not-call registry since last fall. I put myself on it pretty early and really haven't been bothered by telemarketers since it went into effect this winter. Gotta love it.

a step, anyways...

[Red Warrior]

It would be better if they had an opt-in list, instead of an opt-out. But it's better than what they had before, so at least it's progress.

Personally, I eliminated all telemarketer calls in one day. Got rid of my land line (cell phone only). Not one single telemarketer in over 6 months.

Massachusetts

[Paul Burney]

I was looking for some tax forms the other day and stumbled on this (first link at mass.gov). Enjoy.

https://www.madonotcall.govconnect.com/ [govconnect.com]

Supposed to start on July 1, 2003

Indiana has one that works

[isn't my name]

Indiana passed legislation putting one into effect in 2002. I signed up as soon as I could. The effect has been amazing.

Unfortunately, I remember some discussion when the U.S. do-not-call legislation was first proposed stating that Indiana's was more restrictive as to exceptions (basically, charities within 50 miles using unpaid volunteers, newspapers, political campaigns and something else).

My understanding is that the U.S. legislation may be able to trump the state based on the non-restriction of inte

The fine print...

[maxphunk]

From the "Privacy Policy" [state.ca.us]: Because of the nature of the Do Not Call program, the telephone number you furnish will be disseminated to telemarketers for the express purpose of not being called. Now, I'm no English major, but that seems to be an oxymoron.

Colorado too

[taj]

http://www.coloradonocall.com/

But wait, we have this, sort of...

[Zaphod B]

California already bans telemarketing to mobile phones (easily recognisable by their exchange numbers, i.e., 310-245-XXXX), even by groups outside the state - and this is a comprehensive ban, including political messages, newspapers, volunteer organisations, etc.

I rarely get telemarketing calls on my landline, and when I do they're normally from the bloody L.A. Times. If our landline rings twice a month it's a lot. It exists primarily as the catalyst for DSL.