Tulsa World, Okla., Action Line column

Jan 08, 2013 (Tulsa World - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Dear Action Line: Once a person has submitted his phone numbers to the "do not call" lists, are these permanent or do we need to resubmit them every few years What kinds of unwanted calls are eliminated How do we report continuing calls -- M.E.S., Tulsa Don't call lists: Once you register with the National Do Not Call Registry, or the Oklahoma don't call list, your registrations are permanent. You don't need to register again even if a new area code is added to your registered numbers. If your phone is ever disconnected, then reconnected, you'll need to re-register. The federal Do-Not-Call Improvement Act of 2007 made national registrations permanent ( tulsaworld.com/FTCDoNotCallAct), and registrations under the Oklahoma law have always been permanent.

Exceptions: Jurisdictional limitations of the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission permit calls from or on behalf of political organizations, charities and telephone surveyors to be made, as are calls from companies with which you have existing business relationships or those you've provided express written permission to receive their calls. Under the Oklahoma law, established business relationships are formed in the preceding 24 months by a "voluntary, two-way communication. The consumer does not have to purchase goods or services to create an established business relationship, any inquiry or application by the consumer is sufficient," such as signing up for drawings at home decor shows or the state fair, or for job bidding home visits, says the Oklahoma Attorney General website. When you ask a company you have a business relationship with to put you on its do-not-call list, it must honor your request. Keep a record of the date you make such a request and the dates the company again calls you.

Debt collectors: Debt collectors may also continue calling you, as allowed under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( tulsaworld.com/DebtCollectionAct). When you ask a company you have a business relationship with to put you on its do-not-call list, it must honor your request. Keep a record of the date you make such request. If your phone is ever disconnected, then reconnected, you'll need to re-register.

Register: Register your home or mobile phone numbers with the FTC by following instructions on the website. If you share these numbers with others, you are registering for everyone using them. Click here for detailed registration instructions. Enter up to three phone numbers and your email address. Click "Submit." Check for errors. Click "Register." Check your email for a message from Register@donotcall.gov. Open the email and click on the link to complete your registration. If you do not click on the link within 72 hours, your phone number will not be registered. Print a copy of your registration confirmation. You can also register at 888-382-1222 using the phone you wish to register or click on "Register a Phone Number." Troubleshooting: If you don't get a "Registration Complete" message after clicking on the link, or the link does not work, use your "cut and paste" functions to insert the entire link in the email into the "Address" line on your web browser. Cut and paste the entire link and do not attempt to re-type it.

Oklahoma list: Call to get on the Oklahoma Telemarketer Restriction Act Consumer Registry at 405-521-3921 or visit tulsaworld.com/OAGDontCall Complain: If you're still receiving unwanted telemarketer calls 31 days after registering, file a complaint through the FTC Complaint Assistant ( tulsaworld.com/FTCComplainDontCall). Also file a complaint if you receive a recorded message call (robocall) even if your number is not on the registry. Record dates and times you made requests that businesses not call you, and include this in the comment section of the complaint you submit against that company.

Submit Action Line questions by calling 918-699-8888, emailing phil.mulkins@tulsaworld.com or by mailing them to Tulsa World Action Line, P.O .Box 1770, Tulsa, OK 74102-1770.

___ (c)2013 Tulsa World (Tulsa, Okla.) Visit Tulsa World (Tulsa, Okla.) at www.tulsaworld.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

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