How many of us can think of multiple times that we have been called by a telemarketer – and the funny thing is, they always call at the most inconvenient times such as in the middle of dinner or when you are walking out the door. Some of us might argue that anytime a telemarketer is calling, whether your have the time to deal with it or not, is inconvenient. A possible solution to this problem is the National Do Not Call Registry.

By adding your number to the Do Not Call Registry (a free service), you can reduce the number of unwanted sales calls. However, the registry information found online notes that this may not get rid of the calls in their entirety. Most legitimate companies won’t call you if your number is on the Registry. If a company is ignoring the Registry, there’s a good chance that the call is a scam.

Always hang up on illegal sales calls. Don’t interact in anyway, including pressing buttons to be taken off the call list or to talk to a live person. If you are contacted by a company that you suspect is illegitimate, especially if you have already added your number to the Registry, hang up and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Since 2009, the FTC has seen a significant increase in the number of illegal sales calls – particularly automated or robocalls. This is due to advances in technology, which makes it cheap and easy for scammers to make illegal calls from anywhere in the world, and to display fake caller ID information.

You can register for the National Do Not Call Registry online by visiting www.donotcall.gov, or via phone by calling 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register. If you register online, you will receive a confirmation e-mail from donotcall.gov. You must click on the link in the e-mail within 72 hours to complete the registration. Phone calls should stop or slow down within 31 days from adding you number to the Registry. The Do Not Call Registry prohibits sales calls. You still may receive political calls, charitable calls, debt collection calls, informational calls, and telephone survey calls.

To file a complaint, visit donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236). You can verify your number is on the Registry by visiting the website or calling 1-888-382-1222.

If you need assistance with checking on the National Do Not Call Registry, adding your number to the list or filing a complaint – please contact Monte Spiller, Resident Services Leader, at 323-3801. See you next week and thanks for stopping by!