Federal Telemarketing Regulations

In addition to state regulations, telemarketers must adhere to Federal telemarketing rules. These regulations empower you to prevent telemarketing calls and fight telemarketer fraud.

Some of the Federal Telemarketing Rules & Regulations

• Once you tell a telemarketer you don't want them calling you, it's illegal for them to do so.
  
  
• Telemarketers are restricted to calling between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
  
  
• Telemarketers must tell you it's a sales call, the name of the seller, and what they are selling before they make their pitch. If it's a prize promotion, they must tell you that no purchase or payment is necessary to enter or win.
  
  
• It's illegal for telemarketers to misrepresent any information; any facts about their goods or services; earnings potential, profitability, risk, or liquidity of an investment; or the nature of a prize in a prize-promotion scheme.
  
  
• Before you pay, telemarketers must tell you the total cost of the goods and any restrictions on getting or using them; or that a sale is final or non-refundable. In a prize promotion, they must tell you the odds of winning, that no purchase or payment is necessary to win, and any restrictions or conditions of receiving the prize.
  
  
• It's illegal for a telemarketer to withdraw money from your checking account without your express, verifiable authorization.
  
  
• Telemarketers cannot lie to get you to pay, no matter what method of payment you use.
  
  
• You do not have to pay for credit repair, recovery room, or advance-fee loan/credit services until these services have been delivered.
  
  
• It's illegal to help deceptive telemarketers if you know, or consciously avoid knowing, that they are breaking the law.
  
  
• Your state law enforcement officers now have the power to prosecute fraudulent telemarketers who operate across state lines.

Report Telemarketing Rule Violations Immediately

Don't hesitate to report telemarketing rule violations to you state's Attorney General office. Reporting telemarketering fraud and rule violations is in everyone's best interest. You can find out how to contact your state's Attorney General in the Fraud Reporting section of this website.