More States Are Putting Telemarketers on Hold

In recent months, Alabama, Oregon, Louisiana and Tennessee joined the other states that maintain "do not call" lists that consumers can join and telemarketers must obey. Companies that ignore these no-call lists can pay a high price. In May, Georgia's consumer-affairs office fined TruGreen/Chemlawn $45,000 for repeated violations. In states such as Arkansas and Florida, consumers pay nominal fees to join the lists, and companies pay a few dollars for copies. "It's duplicative, and it's expensive," argues Stephen Altobelli, spokesman for the Direct Marketing Association, says of the state lists. The group maintains a nationwide no-call list of nearly 3 million...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!