Tuesday is next chance to join 2 million on Indiana’s Do Not Call list

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Consumers’ next opportunity to shield themselves from annoying and unsolicited phone calls is Tuesday, Nov. 15, the next quarterly deadline to register cellular and landline residential phone numbers on the Do Not Call list.
“While over 2 million phone numbers are already on our Do Not Call list, I don’t believe the others truly wish to receive unwanted or harassing solicitation calls to their phones,” said Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller. “Despite recent attacks on Indiana consumers’ telephone privacy rights, my office will continue to uphold our laws and hold violators accountable.”
Since Indiana’s Do Not Call law went into effect January 1, 2002, the Indiana Attorney General’s Office has obtained 273 settlements with or judgments against telemarketers resulting in awards of penalties and costs totaling more than $14.5 million.
Consumers, who have not registered before, can register their landline, cell, VOIP or prepaid wireless numbers by midnight EST on Tuesday, Nov. 15. The updated list will take effect January 1, 2012, the 10th anniversary of the Do Not Call registry.
To sign up or to confirm a number is already on the list, visit www.IndianaConsumer.com or call 1.888.834.9969. To achieve compliance with Indiana law, telemarketing companies may obtain a copy of the list from the Attorney General’s office.
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. Consumers do not need to re-register unless their addresses have changed.
Zoeller is raising awareness about a federal proposal, U.S. House Resolution 3035, which aims to amend the Communications Act of 1934 and strike down Indiana’s Do Not Call law. The “Mobile Informational Call Act of 2011” would also allow robo-calling to all cell phones, leaving consumers to foot the bill.

State attorneys general would not be able to enforce state laws against junk faxes, prerecorded calls or text messages. Zoeller asks citizens to share their opinions with their congressional representatives about House Resolution 3035.
Individuals can also share their opinion by visiting Popvox’s nonpartisan website at https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr3035. Popvox will forward your comments to your members of Congress.
The Indiana Attorney General’s Office launched a free email and text message update service, called “Privacy Alerts,” that Hoosiers can sign up for to receive updates on the bill’s progress. To sign up consumers can visit www.indianaconsumer.com.