National Do Not Call Registry Guide

The National Do Not Call Registry is a free service from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that reduces telemarketing calls. Here's everything you need to know.

How to Register

Online: Visit donotcall.gov and enter your phone number and email address. By phone: Call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number you want to register. Registration is free, permanent, and takes up to 31 days to fully take effect.

What It Stops

Once registered, most telemarketing companies are legally required to stop calling your number. This includes sales calls from companies you haven't done business with, third-party marketing calls, and unsolicited commercial calls.

What It Doesn't Stop

The registry does not block: political calls and surveys, charitable organization calls, informational calls (appointment reminders, flight notifications), calls from companies you've done business with in the last 18 months, and most importantly — illegal scam calls. Scammers by definition ignore the law, so the registry has no effect on robocalls, phone scams, and fraud attempts.

How to Report Violations

If you're still receiving telemarketing calls 31+ days after registering, file a complaint at donotcall.gov/report.html. Include the date of the call, the phone number that called you, and the company name if known. The FTC uses these complaints to identify and take legal action against violators.

Does It Actually Work?

For legitimate telemarketing, yes. Companies that violate the registry face penalties of up to $50,120 per call. However, since the vast majority of unwanted calls today are illegal robocalls rather than legitimate telemarketing, the registry's practical impact has diminished. It should be one tool in your anti-spam arsenal, not your only defense.