The use of phone numbers for telemarketing is subject to various laws and regulations designed to protect consumer privacy and prevent unwanted calls. These laws differ by jurisdiction, but generally focus on consent, call times, and the existence of “Do Not Call” registries. Non-compliance can lead to significant fines and legal penalties.
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) – United States What laws
In the United States, the primary law finland phone number list governing telemarketing calls is the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) of 1991, enforced by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Key provisions of the TCPA include:
Prior Express Consent: For calls made using an automatic telephone dialing system (ATDS) or an artificial/prerecorded voice, especially to mobile phone numbers, businesses generally require “prior express written consent” from the recipient. This consent must be clear and unambiguous.
National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry: The TCPA established the National Do Not Call Registry, maintained by the FTC. Telemarketers are generally prohibited from calling phone numbers registered on this list. Businesses must scrub their calling lists against the DNC Registry at least every 31 days.
>Company-Specific Do Not Call Lists: In addition to the national registry, businesses must maintain their own internal “do not call” lists. If a consumer requests not to be called again by a specific company, that company must honor the request.
Call Time Restrictions:
Telemarketing calls to residential lines are the future of bulk sms in poland prohibited before 8:00 AM and after 9:00 PM in the recipient’s local time zone.
>Identification Requirements: Telemarketers must promptly state their name, the name of the entity on whose behalf they are calling, and a telephone number or address where the entity can be contacted.
Caller ID Transmission:
Telemarketers are generally required to singapore number transmit their caller ID information, meaning they cannot block their numbers.
>Robocalls: Unsolicited telemarketing calls using artificial or prerecorded voices (“robocalls”) are largely prohibited unless the recipient has provided prior express written consent, with limited exceptions (e.g., emergency calls, informational calls).
>Violations of the TCPA can result in significant penalties, including statutory damages of $500 per violation, which can be trebled to $1,500 per violation if done knowingly or willfully.
The Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) – United States What laws
The FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) works in conjunction with the TCPA and provides additional consumer protections. It applies to most telemarketing calls made interstate. The TSR mandates:
Prohibition of Misrepresentations: It prohibits misrepresentations about any material aspect of the goods or services.