ROWE RE-LAUNCHES STATE DO NOT CALL REGISTRATION ONLINE

October 7, 2003

OCTOBER 7, 2003

CHARLES DOW, DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS & LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS, 207-626-8577

 

            Attorney General Steven Rowe today announced that he has reposted a form on the Attorney General’s Office website to allow consumers to register for the State do not call list for telemarketing.  The website had been directing Maine consumers to the national do not call registry maintained by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) since early July, but recent court decisions have delayed FTC enforcement of its do not call rules.  Rowe also announced his intention to join other state attorneys general and the federal government in the court battle to get the federal registry back on track.  The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to consider arguments over the federal registry in the next couple of months. 

            Rowe said, “Do not call lists provide a one-stop solution for telemarketing calls.  Mainers who have not signed up for the Maine list should visit our website www.maine.gov/ag and click on ‘Do Not Call’ in the banner.’”

            Rowe reminded consumers that telemarketing businesses must honor specific requests of consumers to be removed from call lists.  “We have reports that some businesses are aggressively calling in the wake of the recent court decisions.  You can cover your bases by telling telemarketers to put you on their do not call list.  The federal rules and the State law requiring shop-by-shop do not call lists are in full force and effect.”

* * * * *