Overview

The Do Not Call (DNC) Registry allows you to register your landline and cell phone number in one central database to limit the telemarketing calls you receive. Once you register your phone number, telemarketers not exempt from the DNC Registry have up to 31 days from the date you register to stop calling you. The DNC Registry will not stop all telemarketers from calling you. Calls from or on behalf of political organizations, charities, and telephone surveyors are exempt. Companies with which you have an existing business relationship may still call you (unless you ask them to place your number on their own do-not-call list). 

Laws and Rules

The New York State Do Not Call Law became effective in 2001, allowing consumers to place their home landline and personal mobile telephone numbers on one central national Registry to reduce the number of unsolicited telemarketing calls they receive. The New York State Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection enforces the New York State Do Not Call Law. In 2003, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) collaborated to create the National Do Not Call program and Registry. 

Enforcement

The Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is responsible for investigating and enforcing New York State’s Do Not Call statutes. New York State’s General Business Law (GBL) §399-z, provides the Division “[w]here it is determined…that any person has violated one or more provisions of this section, the secretary, or any person deputized or so designated by him or her may assess a fine…” 

From 2014 to date, the following entities violated NY GBL §399-z. Each action includes a Consent Order issued by the Department binding the violator to its terms and conditions.  

 

Settlements (Since 2014)

Business NameCase Number
Accentuations By Design Corp. d/b/a Living Quarters2012 DNC 0428 
Alliance Healthcare Networks lnc.2012 DNC 1245 
Newsday LLC2012 DNC 0430 
Citizen's Choice Energy, LLC2011 DNC 0009/2013 DNC 1404 
Direct Energy Business, LLC2013 DNC 0344 
Commerce Energy, Inc. d/b/a Amigo Energy2013 DNC 0343 
SBR Energy LLC2013 DNC 0606 
Utility Expense Reduction, LLC2013 DNC 0389 
Alpha Gas and Electric, LLC2013 DNC 0607 
Plymouth Rock Energy LLC2013 DNC 1156 
Hiko Energy LLC2012 DNC 0984 
Hiko Energy LLC2013 DNC 1018 
City Power & Gas, LLC2013 DNC 0452 
DirectBuy Inc.2013 DNC 0688 
Premier Yankee of Upstate NY, LLC2013 DNC 0017/2013 DNC 1316 
Liberty Power Corp. LLC2013 DNC 0465 
Hi Tech Home Improvements, Inc.2013 DNC 1530 
Utility Expense Reduction, LLC2014 DNC 0023 
IDT Energy Inc.2013 DNC 0549 
Maximum Services, Inc.2013 DNC 0716/2014 DNC 0058 
Sirius XM Radio, Inc.2011 DNC 4/2014 DNC 1654 
Gannett Co. Inc.2013 DNC 1329 
DIRECTV, LLC2012 DNC 0429 
Slomin's Shield2014 DNC 0133 
Belcar Associates Inc. d/b/a Majestic Homes Service and Maintenance2014 DNC 0061 
Empire State Remodelers, Inc.2015 DNC 0237 
Panther Home Improvement2014 DNC 0132 
Always Affordable Chimney, Inc.2012 DNC 2120 
Academy Chimney2012 DNC 2121 
Hilton Grand Vacations Company LLC2011 DNC 0001 
Carpet Masters Clearing & Restorations2014 DNC 0063/2014 DNC 1653 
Centro Global Solutions2015 DNC 0167 
Ultimate Vacation Group Inc.2014 DNC 0035 
Century Remodeling Home Improvement2015 DNC 0170 
Barrier Window Systems Inc.2015 DNC 0445 
Premiere Yankee of Upstate NY2015 DNC 0236 
MPower Energy Limited LLC2015 DNC 0238 
Family Energy, Inc.2015 DNC 0149 
C. Michael Exteriors, Inc.2016 DNC 0187 
Process Driven Marketing LLC2017 DNC 0499 
Long Island's Own Home Food Service, Inc.2018 DNC 1024 
Home Grants Outreach/ Halcyon Inc.2019-C-062102 
Synergy Capital Inc.2019-C-101001 
Donisi Jax, Inc.2018-080101 
eAgent Direct Inc.2019-C-091301 
Verde Energy Partners LLC2019-C-042201
Byte Success Marketing, LLC2019-C-081601
BPO Solutions2021-C-050603
Transparent BPO LLC2019-C-071901
Yodel Technology Services, LLC2020-C-090101
Andrews Wharton, Inc.2019-C-102501
CPA Data Solutions, CS Marketing LLC2020-C-050602
Lead Genesis Partners LLC2022-C-052502
Momentum Solar LLC2021-C-073001
Call Core Media Inc.2022-C-012701
WEIBIAO2021-C-050601
Quantum 3 Media, LLC2023-C-031600
Digital Thrive, LLC2024-C-021500

How Do I Register?

You can register your phone number online at https://www.donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236). If you register by phone, you must call from the phone number you wish to register. Once registered, your telephone number remains on the DNC Registry, without expiration, unless the phone number is permanently disconnected and reassigned to a new consumer or you choose to remove it. 

When Should I File a Do Not Call Complaint?

If you receive an unwanted telemarketing call after your number has been on the DNC Registry for more than 31 days, you can file a Do Not Call complaint online at the Registry’s website https://www.donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236). If you received a call that used a recorded message instead of a live person (known as a “robocall”), you can file a complaint whether or not your number is on the Registry. For more tips on how to fill out the Do Not Call Complaint form, click here.  You may also file a complaint with FCC for unwanted fax, telemarketing, and telephone service and billing issues. 

Why Is It Important to File a Do Not Call Complaint?

The Division of Consumer Protection routinely reviews the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Database for Do Not Call complaints filed by New York Residents. The FTC also reviews complaints filed Nationwide to determine whether a pattern or practice of violations of the National Do Not Call Registry is occurring. By filing a complaint, you can help the Division track down and identify violators of the Do Not Call law and take legal action against the businesses making those unwanted, unsolicited and often annoying telemarketing phone calls. 

Registering your phone number on the DNC Registry is only the first step towards bringing these calls to an end. The next step is to file a complaint for every unwanted call. The Division uses the consumer complaints to take enforcement action against the violators who can be fined for each illegal call. The more complaints filed, the higher the fine that may be levied. 

Is Your Business In Compliance? 

Once a consumer’s telephone number has been registered on the DNC registry for 31 days, DNC laws prohibit you from calling it. Your business can be fined up to $11,000 per call by the New York Department of State, as well as by the FTC and Federal Communications Commission (FCC). 

Your business can register and gain access to the DNC registry by visiting DoNotCall.gov. You can either: 

  • Purchase the entire U.S. database, or 
  • Gain access to the first five area codes for free, with additional area codes available for purchase. 

Your business is responsible for updating your call lists every 31 days and identifying and registering with the FTC. The FTC assures list accuracy by periodically checking telephone numbers and removing those that are invalid, disconnected or reassigned. As a business, DNC compliance is YOUR responsibility. Do not rely on a third party telemarketing company to protect your business. 

Download DCP’s Do Not Call Business Compliance Guidance (pdf) 

FAQs