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The Federal Trade Commission has announced updated fees starting on October 1, 2012, for telemarketers accessing phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry.

All telemarketers calling consumers in the United States are required to download the numbers on the Do Not Call Registry to ensure they do not call those who have registered their phone numbers. The first five area codes are free, and organizations that are exempt from the Do Not Call rules, such as some charitable organizations, may obtain the entire list for free. Telemarketers must subscribe each year for access to the Registry numbers.

The access fees for the Registry are being increased as required by the Do-Not-Call Registry Fee Extension Act of 2007. Under the Act’s provisions, in fiscal year 2013 (from October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013), telemarketers will pay $58, an increase of $2, for access to Registry phone numbers in a single area code, up to a maximum charge of $15,962 for all area codes nationwide, an increase from the previous maximum of $15,503. Telemarketers will pay $1 more per area code for numbers they subscribe to receive during the second half of the 12-month subscription period, for a total of $29 per area code.

For consumers who want to add their phone number to the Registry, registration is free and does not expire.

The Commission vote authorizing publication of the Federal Register notice announcing the new fees was 5-0. (FTC File No. P034305; the staff contact is Ami Dziekan, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2648.)

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics.  Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.

(FYI 32.2012.wpd)