The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in conjunction with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reminds consumers that the National Do Not Call Registry accepts both cell phone and home phone number registrations. And while many wire line customers have registered their home phones, cell phone users should be aware that a directory of cell phone numbers has been published. This allows telemarketers the opportunity to solicit directly to you and waste your precious cell phone minutes.

The national Do-Not-Call registry will not prevent all unwanted calls. It will not prevent calls from organizations with which the consumer has established a business relationship; calls for which the consumer has given prior written consent; calls which are not commercial or do not include unsolicited advertisements; and calls by or on behalf of tax-exempt non-profit organizations.

The FCC has amended its rules, which may also help reduce the number of telemarketing calls to consumers, including: requiring telemarketers to transmit Caller ID information and to unblock their numbers, among other things.

Your registration will not expire. Telephone numbers placed on the Do Not Call Registry will remain on it permanently; however any changes made to your telephone numbers, or if you should add a new telephone number, you must register them.

To sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry, visit www.donotcall.gov or call the FTC’s toll-free number at 1-888-382-1222, for TTY users, 866-290-4236 from the phone you wish to register.

If you have any questions or concerns about this matter, please call the Hancock Telephone Company business office at 637-9911.