Fear not your telephone.

• Position: TRENDS & TRANSITIONS - Telemarketing regulations - Brief article

In response to increasing consumer frustration with unwanted telemarketing calls, Congress and the states have passed do-not-call laws. They establish and fund databases that contain the telephone numbers of citizens who elect not to receive telephone solicitations. The National Do-Not-Call Registry covers both traditional and wireless telephones. Consumers can add their numbers to the national list either online at www.donotcall.gov or by calling (888) 382-1222 from the telephone number they wish to register. More than 40 states as well have laws that establish state-run databases.

Since 2003, more than 106 million phone numbers have been registered on the national list. A recent Harris Interactive poll found that 92 percent of those signed up get fewer calls and 25 percent no calls at all. However, the reality is that entering one's telephone number on the national registry will not stop all unwanted calls. Charities, political fundraisers, organizations conducting surveys, those calling on behalf of tax exempt...