# How do you file a complaint on the National Do Not Call Reistry? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 2, 2003, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-file-a-complaint-on-the-national-do-not-call-reistry/205139 "2003-10-02T15:36:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![John\_Zahn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e0b2c6/32.png) [@John\_Zahn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Zahn)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-file-a-complaint-on-the-national-do-not-call-reistry/205139/1 "2003-10-02T15:36:53Z")
Despite judges that wanted to stop it, my understanding is that the “do-not-call” list still went into effect October 1st, and was going to be valid, at least for now. Is this correct? If so, when I go to their [cite](http://donotcall.gov/Complain/ComplainDefault.aspx) to “File a Complaint” it only gives you more information of what you should have to qualify for a legitimate complaint. I have all the necessary information, but it still doesn’t let you file. They also say this: > [@](#): > > After three months, you can file a do not call complaint on this Web site or by calling 1-888-382-1222 But yet this phone number doesn’t allow you to file a complaint either only giving you more information about how to register, but not file a complaint. What gives? Due to the latest judges decisions, will they not take complaints now, and it is only going to be voluntary for telemarketers? I signed up on June 30. Today on October 2nd, I received a call again from some stupid ass lady, who is still trying to sell me a credit card. I told her to take me off her list last week, but this time, I reminded her more bluntly than last week, raising my voice, and telling her once again to quit calling me, and that I was on the do not call list, so take me off of your fucking list! Then, I hung up. She immediately calls back six more times within two minutes, not saying anything, but hanging up on me. Her phone number showed up on my caller I.D., and she said she was Natalie. But yet when I call that number, it shows to be a non-working number? Is it legal for telemarketers to be using false numbers now too? Is there any way to trace this number? JZ ---
**Author:** ![rsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@rsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsa)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-file-a-complaint-on-the-national-do-not-call-reistry/205139/2 "2003-10-02T16:12:52Z")
Here’s the deal. One judge ruled that the FTC did not have the authority to enforce the Do Not Call list. In record time, Congress passed a law saying “or yes they do”. Then another judge ruled the Do Not Call registry unconstitutional on free speech grounds. The FTC will appeal that decision. In the mean time, the FCC said that it would enforce the registry. The caveat being that if a telemarketing company had not yet purchased the list, they were off the hook for now. But telemarketers are expected tgo answer truthfully when asked if they have the list. So for now, you have to send complaints to the FCC, rather than the FTC. See here for more information: [http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/](http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-file-a-complaint-on-the-national-do-not-call-reistry/205139/3 "2003-10-02T16:16:13Z")
Try their website: [http://www.donotcall.gov/](http://www.donotcall.gov/) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Zahn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e0b2c6/32.png) [@John\_Zahn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Zahn)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-file-a-complaint-on-the-national-do-not-call-reistry/205139/4 "2003-10-02T16:37:03Z")
Chefguy, but that is their website that I’m referring to, and list in my link on my OP under “cite.” JZ ---
**Author:** ![John\_Zahn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e0b2c6/32.png) [@John\_Zahn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Zahn)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-file-a-complaint-on-the-national-do-not-call-reistry/205139/5 "2003-10-02T16:38:43Z")
rsa, sounds like you know what you’re talking about. I’ve tried your link, but the page doesn’t open. I’ll try again later. Thanks, JZ ---
**Author:** ![TelcontarStorm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ab097/32.png) [@TelcontarStorm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TelcontarStorm)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-file-a-complaint-on-the-national-do-not-call-reistry/205139/6 "2003-10-02T16:47:16Z")
Former Phone surveyer and Marketer here. I recently filed a compaint about the telemarketing practices of The Toledo Blade with the Ohio Attorney Generals Office. Give your states AG’s web site a visit, they may be able to get you some satisfaction. I’d definatly report the harassment to them. You may also file complaints with your local Better Business Bureau. The next time they call I suggest you ask to speak to a supervisor and report this marketer who is now harassing you. When you report this Natalie, tell the Super that you woul like a copy of thier Do-Not-Call policy in the mail and you would like a letter of satisfaction on what they did about the harassmant you have been recieving. Also ask the Super. what city they are calling you from and file a complaint with that citys BBB. As for the Natl. list. They stated that one can make complaints in 3 months. It’s obvious that the Gov’t is running as it usualy does and does not have up the steps nessisary to make a complaint because the 3 months has not passed yet. Dontcha just loooove our gov’t? Give it a second go after the obligatory 3 months has passed. _maybe_ by then the complaint options _might_ be up and running. In the meantime do not erase those call from your caller ID as you may need them for evidece. Keep a hand written list of all companies that have called you, with the date you told them to put you on thier do-not-call list and the name of the marketer you spoke to. As for the nonfunctioning number, the only guess I can give you is that it was from a line that does not recieve incoming calls. The number is hooked up to thier autodialer and not capable of answering a call back. You can always get up the website of the credit card company and file a compaint directly to the comapny about the harassing caller.I doubt they wolud do a damn thing about it ,but it might make you fell better while awaiting those long 3 months. I know no one likes it, but I think the marketers who are fighting the list have a point about getting singled out for the list. Why should Charities and political parties still get to make the same type of annoying calls? Do they not equally get hung up on? Do they not equaly get raged about? Are they less annoying? ---
**Author:** ![rsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@rsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsa)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-file-a-complaint-on-the-national-do-not-call-reistry/205139/7 "2003-10-02T16:49:23Z")
**John** , try these more specific links. Maybe you’ll have better luck although they all work for me. [FCC Do-Not-Call Home Page](http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/donotcall/) [FCC Do Not Call Advisory (PDF)](http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/donotcalladvisory.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Zahn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e0b2c6/32.png) [@John\_Zahn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Zahn)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-file-a-complaint-on-the-national-do-not-call-reistry/205139/8 "2003-10-02T16:58:08Z")
> [@](#): > > They stated that one can make complaints in 3 months. It’s obvious that the Gov’t is running as it usualy does and does not have up the steps nessisary to make a complaint because the 3 months has not passed yet. TelcontarStorm, I believe the three months they were referring to was back in June. It has already passed, and if I read their cite correctly, complaints were going to start being received October 1st. If I can get through the AG in my state, without going in more circles, this is something I’ll look into as well. JZ ---
**Author:** ![John\_Zahn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e0b2c6/32.png) [@John\_Zahn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Zahn)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-file-a-complaint-on-the-national-do-not-call-reistry/205139/9 "2003-10-02T17:02:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rsa \* > \*\ ***John** , try these more specific links. Maybe you’ll have better luck although they all work for me. > > [FCC Do-Not-Call Home Page](http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/donotcall/) > > [FCC Do Not Call Advisory (PDF)](http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/donotcalladvisory.pdf) \*\* That’s weird because these latest two don’t work for me either stating the page can’t be opened. I’ll figure out a way to get though some how. Thanks for going through all of this trouble. JZ ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-file-a-complaint-on-the-national-do-not-call-reistry/205139/10 "2003-10-02T17:57:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by John Zahn \* > \*\*Chefguy, but that is their website that I’m referring to, and list in my link on my OP under “cite.” > > JZ \*\* Sorry: after I hit the post button, I saw where you had already visited the site. In my defense, I was only halfway through my morning coffee. ---
**Author:** ![RedDawgEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dbc845/32.png) [@RedDawgEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedDawgEsq)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-file-a-complaint-on-the-national-do-not-call-reistry/205139/11 "2003-10-02T18:31:19Z")
What I want to know is how do I collect my $11,000? Look [HERE](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=214854) for an earlier discussion on this topic.