Learn About the National Do Not Call List
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the Do Not Call (DNC) Registry rules regulate telemarketing practices in the U.S.
Here is a summary of the key rules related to the DNC Registry:
1. National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry
The DNC Registry is a list of phone numbers that consumers can register to avoid receiving telemarketing calls.
Telemarketers are prohibited from calling phone numbers on this list unless there is an exception (e.g., prior express consent or an established business relationship).
Telemarketers must scrub their call / phone lists against the DNC Registry at least every 31 days to ensure they are not calling or texting DNC-registered numbers.
2. Exceptions to the DNC Rules
Calls from nonprofit organizations are generally exempt from DNC rules.
Political calls, surveys, and calls from debt collectors are also exempt.
Businesses can call individuals who have given prior express consent or with whom they have an established business relationship (EBR) within the past 18 months.
3. Established Business Relationship (EBR)
If a consumer has made a purchase, inquiry, or application with a business, that business has an 18-month window to call them even if the consumer is on the DNC Registry.
If a consumer merely inquired about a product or service, the business has a three-month window to call them.
4. Internal Do Not Call List
In addition to the national DNC Registry, businesses must maintain an internal DNC list. This list contains individuals who have specifically requested that the business not call them.
Companies must honor these internal DNC requests indefinitely.
5. Telemarketing Call Requirements
Telemarketers must identify themselves and the company they represent.
They must also provide a phone number or address where they can be reached.
Telemarketing calls can only be made between 8 AM and 9 PM local time of the recipient.
6. Penalties for Violations
Violating the TCPA’s DNC rules can result in fines of up to $43,792 per violation (adjusted periodically).
Consumers can file lawsuits for statutory damages of $500 per violation, which can be tripled to $1,500 per violation if the violation is willful.
7. Recordkeeping Requirements
Telemarketers must maintain records of their compliance with the DNC rules, such as their scrub dates and customer consents, for a minimum of five years.
These rules ensure that consumers have control over the marketing calls they receive, and businesses must carefully comply to avoid penalties.
CallAction keeps you compliant with our automated DNC scans, reassigned number scans and both internal / external Do Not Contact lists.
If you are not a CallAction user currently or only want to scan your CRM contact data phone numbers against the DNC, you can use our stand-alone solution Verify by CallAction.
Contact us to learn more.