WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced updated fees starting on Oct. 1, 2014, 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 2015 (from Oct. 1, 2014 to Sept. 30, 2015), telemarketers will pay $60, an increase of $1, for access to Registry phone numbers in a single area code — up to a maximum charge of $16,482 for all area codes nationwide, an increase from the previous maximum of $16,228. Telemarketers will pay the same as last year for numbers they subscribe to receive during the second half of the 12‑month subscription period, $30 per area code.
The FTC vote authorizing publication of the Federal Register notice announcing the new fees was five to zero.
