Senator Flanagan Announces Improvement To Do Not Call Law

Senator John J. Flanagan (2nd Senate District) today announced that, thanks to a new state law, consumers who register for the New York State Do Not Call registry will be protected from unwanted sales calls in a more timely fashion. To offer enhanced consumer protection, the new law requires telemarketers to update their do not call lists no later than every thirty one days.

This change will ensure that those who register their phone number are protected within one month of registration. Prior to this change, a delay of 90 days was allowable by law. This delay provided telemarketers with an additional three months to contact consumers who signed up for the registry.

"If a consumer in New York State wishes to be free of sales calls, telemarketers should be required to respect their rights. This change will allow New Yorkers to enjoy the benefits of the Do Not Call registry without having to wait," stated Senator Flanagan. "Telemarketers have to honor the wishes of consumers and respond quickly to those who want their privacy respected."

Introduced in 2001, the New York State Do Not Call registry is designed to protect consumers from unwanted phone solicitations. Since its inception, over 7.5 million phone numbers have been registered including over 1.4 million on Long Island alone.

In 2003, the New York registry was merged with the national registry to provide greater protection for consumers. For more information about the Do Not Call registry or to register your phone number, please visit www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222.

If you are registered and would like to file a complaint, you should visit the New York State Consumer Protection Board's web site at www.nysconsumer.gov.