For immediate release: Aug 12, 2011
Posted by: [Attorney General]
Contact: Erin Reece
Phone: 317.232.0168
Email:
erin.reece@atg.in.govDeclare your phone number off limits - sign up for the Do Not Call list
Deadline to register is midnight Tuesday, Aug. 16
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Hoosiers have less than one week to stop unwanted telemarketing calls or text messages to their phones by signing up for Indiana's quarterly Do Not Call list.
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller encourages individuals to register their landline, cell, VOIP or prepaid wireless numbers by midnight EST on Tuesday, Aug. 16. Hoosiers who sign up before the deadline should see a reduction in calls or texts on Oct. 1.
To sign up or to confirm a number is already on the list, visit
www.IndianaConsumer.com or call 1.888.834.9969.
"Shielding residents - especially senior citizens - from potential scams and ensuring telephone privacy is a top priority," Zoeller said. "Indiana's Do Not Call registry is one way Hoosiers can protect themselves from intrusive or fraudulent telemarketing calls and text messages."
Since the Do-Not-Call law went into effect Jan. 1, 2002, the Attorney General's office has obtained 273 settlements with or judgments against telemarketers, resulting in awards of penalties and costs totaling $13,799,802.
To achieve compliance with Indiana law, telemarketing companies may obtain a copy of the list from the Attorney General's office. Zoeller said more than 2 million phone numbers are currently on the list - leaving only one third of eligible phone numbers not registered.
Last quarter, Hoosiers added nearly 190,000 numbers to the list thanks to a new law allowing consumers to register their cell phone numbers.
Indiana's Do Not Call registry is updated quarterly on the first of each January, April, July and October. Out-of-state area codes can also be added as long as the billing address is located in Indiana.
NOTE: For an audio sound bite of Attorney General Zoeller commenting on the issue please visit this link.
