DHR warns that number registration on do no call list may have expired

The Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Aging Services (DAS) is warning Georgians that their telephone number registration on the Do Not Call Registry may have expired. The registration was for five years, and individuals who registered their telephone numbers on the Do Not Call Registry in 2002 are urged to renew their registrations.

"Many frauds and scams are perpetrated through the telephone by con artists," said Maria Greene, Director of DAS. "One way to eliminate this vulnerability is to stop their point of entry and register your phone numbers."

When the Do Not Call Registry was created in 2002, many Americans registered their telephone numbers to prohibit telemarketers from calling their home numbers, but many have forgotten that the initial registration was only to last five years. It is vitally important to register important telephone numbers again. Up to three phone numbers can be registered (including cell phones), by visiting www.donotcall.gov. This registration will last another five years ending in 2012.

Individuals with new telephone numbers or who never got around to registering their telephone numbers in 2002 should do so now. This will reduce unsolicited and unwanted telemarketing calls to their homes. If people have older relatives who are receiving numerous telemarketing calls, this may be a way to help them eliminate some of those calls. DAS is urging individuals to have a conversation with their older relatives or neighbors about their concerns, educate them on the Do Not Call Registry, and ask them if they would like help in putting their phone numbers on the list.

It usually takes 31 days for all the telemarketing companies to receive the most updated list of numbers added to the registry, so wait a month before filing a complaint of violations. If a telemarketer does call during the first 30 days that the number is registered, let them know that your number has been registered on the Do Not Call Registry and they should remove it from their calling list.

Complaints about telemarketers violating the Do Not Call Registry should be reported to www.donotcall.gov. For further information, please con- tact your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-866-55-Aging.