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One-and-done is big change for Do Not Call program [The Wisconsin State Journal :: ](Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) July 25--Avoiding irritating conversations with robots -- they drone, they don't pay attention, they lack empathy -- may get easier as registration for Wisconsin's Do Not Call program is being merged with the federal program. Starting Aug. 1, consumers no longer have to register their numbers with the state every two years to receive protection from unwanted telemarketing calls and text messages. New registrations will also activate sooner -- by the following day instead of the next quarter -- said Sandy Chalmers, division administrator at the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. "Consumers can sign up once and not have to worry about whether their registrations will lapse or whether there will be a three-month delay before they are protected under the program," said Chalmers, in a statement. Robocalls perennially land in the top of the list of state consumer complaints. The changes move the registration process from the state Do Not Call Registry to the Federal Trade Commission's nationwide list. Phone numbers already on the state list will be transferred to the federal list. Wisconsin consumers who have previously registered their number to the federal list do not need to re-register for protection under the new law. Under the revised program: --Wisconsin consumers can register their residential landline, cell or VoIP numbers online at http://nocall.wisconsin.gov or by placing a call from the phone they wish to register to 888-382-1222 (TTY: 866-290-4236). --To verify that your number is registered, call 888-382-1222 (TTY: 866-290-4236) from the phone you want to verify or visit https://www.donotcall.gov/confirm/conf.aspx. --After you register, your phone number will show up on the registry by the next day. Telemarketers covered by the Wisconsin Do Not Call Registry have up to 31 days from the date you register to stop calling you. ___ (c)2014 The Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wis.) Visit The Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wis.) at http://host.madison.com/wsj/ Distributed by MCT Information Services |