CAUTION: There have been reports of scam artists and identity thieves calling people to request or confirm personal information for this new registry. The FTC has posted this warning to consumers on their web page:

“The FTC will not allow private companies or other such third parties to "pre-register" consumers for national Do Not Call registry. Web sites or phone solicitations that claim they can or will register a consumer's name or phone number on a national list – especially those that charge a fee – are a scam. Consumers will be able to register directly with FTC, or through some state governments, but never private companies.”

Consumers should also be aware that some types of telephone solicitation are exempt from do-not-call protection. Companies from which you have purchased, leased or rented from in previous 18 months are exempt. Also charities, surveys, and calls on behalf of politicians will be exempt from this service.

The National Do Not Call Registry does not cover business to business calls.

Log on to www.donotcall.gov and click "Register a Phone Number" link.

The service allows you to register up to 3 phone numbers, so you can even put your cell phone on do not call list.

Once you register a phone number, website will send you a confirmation email with a link you must click before your phone number gets added to database. ** Some common questions people ask about National Do Not Call Registry include: ** How soon after I register will I notice a reduction in calls?

If you register by August 31, 2003, you will start receiving fewer telemarketing calls by October 1, 2003.

If you register after September 1, 2003, telemarketers covered by National Do Not Call Registry will have up to three months from date you register to stop calling you.

How long until my phone number shows up in registry?

After you register, your phone number will be available for telemarketers to remove it from their call lists by next day.

Telemarketers will have up to three months to get your phone number and remove it from their call lists.

What if a telemarketer calls me after I've signed up?

As long as you have telemarketer's company name or phone number you can file a complaint online through "File a Complaint" page on www.donotcall.gov website.

For more information, log on to www.donotcall.gov today.