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NEWARK
- New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs
Director David Szuchman today reminded residents
that a federal ban on prerecorded commercial
telemarketing calls - known as “robocalls”
- begins today, under a Federal Trade Commission
(FTC) rule.
Robocalls
cannot be placed to consumers unless the telemarketer
has obtained permission in writing from those
who want to receive such calls, under the
FTC’s rule. Robocalls are permitted
from charitable organizations and political
organizations, as is currently allowed under
the state’s Do Not Call law.
Consumers
who receive robocalls may file complaints
with the FTC at www.donotcall.gov
or by calling 1-888-382-1222.
“The
Division continues to enforce the state’s
Do Not Call law,” Director Szuchman
said. “Those whose peace and quiet are
shattered by telemarketing calls should file
complaints with the Division.”
New
Jersey’s existing Do Not Call law provides
the following:
-
Prohibits telemarketers from calling New
Jersey residents who have placed their residential
and/or mobile phone numbers on the national
“Do Not Call” registry;
- Prohibits
telemarketers who haven’t registered
with Consumer Affairs from calling any New
Jersey resident;
- Prohibits
all telemarketers from calling New Jersey
residents between the hours of 9 p.m. and
8 a.m.;
- Bars
telemarketers from intentionally blocking
the customer’s use of caller identification;
- Requires
telemarketers, including sellers that carry
out “any plan, program or campaign”
to sell merchandise to consumers in New
Jersey to register annually and disclose
certain information about their business
operations and principals;
- Imposes
stiff penalties against violators of up
to $10,000 for the first offense and up
to $20,000 for each subsequent offense;
- Covers
most telemarketing sales calls regardless
of where the telemarketer is calling from;
- Requires
telemarketers and sellers to maintain in-house
“Do Not Call” lists pertaining
to “existing customers” who
have said they do not want to receive sales
calls from the telemarketers; and
- Prohibits
telemarketers from calling New Jersey residents
on their cell phones, except in very limited
circumstances.
To
register phones, go to www.donotcall.gov
or call 1-888-382-1222.
To
file a complaint about a violation of the
state’s Do Not Call law, contact the
Division at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/donotcall/dnconlinefrm.htm
or at 1-800-242-5846 (toll-free
within N.J.) or 973-504-6200.
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