Picking up telephone can put end to calls

Published 12:00 am Saturday, July 5, 2003

Starting Monday, hanging up won't be the only way to get rid of unwanted telemarketers.

The Federal Trade Commission opened online registration for the National Do Not Call Registry July 1 and on Monday, phone registry will be open to the entire nation.

Willie Ann Golden, who works the photo counter at CVS Pharmacy, said telemarketers-mostly credit card companies-call her "all the time" at home, especially from 5:30-6 p.m. and at 9 a.m.

Sign up for our daily email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

Golden tells the telemarketers that the person they are looking for isn't home. And if they're still talking after that, she hangs up.

"I'm already on it," she said about the registration. "My sister-in-law put me on it the day she heard about it on the news. I'm on it and have even been confirmed."

According to the FTC website, those who sign up for the list before August 1 will notice a dramatic decline in telemarketing calls on and after October 1, which is the date states will begin enforcing the list. Consumers who register after September 1 will notice a downturn in telemarketing calls within three months.

But private lines aren't the only ones being tied up with "special offers." Telemarketing calls frequent businesses as well.

Annita Clayton manages Video Warehouse on Highway s