National do-not-call list hits nearly 210 million phone numbers

Consumer Reports News: November 30, 2011 05:23 PM

Close to 210 million phone numbers are now registered with the national Do Not Call Registry, an increase of more than 8 million phone numbers from last year, according to fiscal year 2011 data from the Federal Trade Commission.

The do-not-call list was established in 2003, and lets consumers opt out of receiving telemarketing calls at home.

The number of consumer complaints about unwanted telemarketing calls also increased this year over last. At the end of fiscal year 2010, that figure was 1.6 million, and at the end of fiscal year 2011 it reached 2.3 million consumer complaints about the unwanted calls.

Even though most pre-recorded telemarketing calls, or so-called "robocalls," have been illegal since September 2009, the number of complaints about this specific type of call grew to 140,503 this past September.

The FTC also warns consumers of a new scam, where callers pose as a representative from the national do-not-call list, and under the guise of signing you up for the service, will try to obtain your personal data.

In order to sign up, you have to make the initiative, by either calling 888-382-1222 from the number you want removed, or by visiting National Do Not Call Registry.

Recently: Proposed House bill would allow robocalls to cell phones

FY 2011 National Do Not Call Registry Data Book (pdf) [FTC]

—Maggie Shader