www.donotcall.gov

You can also complain. BTW a loophole is, I believe that any company that you have done business with can still call you unless you tell them directly not to.

The number is 1-888-382- 1222. Any company that does not expect to "complete the transaction" within that call also flies under the do not call radar. That's why the roofing, home improvement, carpet cleaning, and etc. companies keep on calling even though you're registered. I've noticed a big upswing in these types of home improvement/service/repair calls ever since the real estate market started its doward spiral.

Answering machines are such a blessing!

Hi, I won't sign up for do not call lists. Those lists are sold by area code, because the people who want to honor them have to know who not to call. Your number on that list would be considered an active number for anyone who wants to abuse it. The chances of them being prosecuted for it would be zero. We for years told any solicitor who called these simple words, "Take my number off your list and NEVER call me again!" You have to be very clear. Do not let them go on with their pitch, and do not engage with them in any sort of conversation. Interupt them as soon as you know they're soliciting and say those words. Do not say anything else to them. If they don't understand or try to continue on, just repeat it. It works for 99.9% of them. I know people who think that it's rude to blurt that out, because they think they're obligated to be nice, but consider that you're also wasting their time if you aren't interested. If you've ever considered buying anything from a phone solicitor, just know that they'll then sell your number to lots of others, because they know you'll buy if they bug you enough. You will likely never in your life need something that someone calls and tries to sell you.

Do not give your phone number to anyone who does not need it, according to YOU, not them. We've found that if we give it to a car dealer for warranty work to call so we know when the car is finished, it will generate at least 3 or 4 calls to our number. Those callers will surely sell it to others. We now give the guy at the car repair desk our number on a post it note, and insist that it not be put on the invoice. We bought an appliance at a major retailer that we paid for and had to pick up 2 days later. They were insistant that they needed our phone number, and the sales person was clearly not happy that he couldn't get it, because he wouldn't be able to 'call us when it comes in'. Since we paid for it when ordered, and said we would pick it up on the delivery date, they would only need it to try to sell extended warranties or other nonsense they would try to sell us. They the 555-5555 number if they have to fill in a blank. It works.

If you get annoying recordings from companies or political candidates, call their offices and demand that they take your number off their list. That also works. Linda

My sister in law, when she gets a sales pitch call, interrupts and says strongly "I NEVER BUY ANYTHING OVER THE PHONE", then she hangs up.

An electronic frnchise around here used to ask for our phone numbers and address when we bought a small item from them, and were rather put out when I resisted telling them.

o j