For people who signed up for the Do-Not-Call registry in 2003, you are nearing the registry’s five-year time limit — after which your number can again be used by solicitors.  This five year limit was included in the legislation authorizing the Do-Not-Call registry at the urging of the Federal Trade Commission to ensure that outdated phone numbers could be removed from the list.

Fortunately, you can re-register your number at any time, ensuring an additional five years of protection from telemarketers. Up to three personal numbers per person can be registered at any one time.

To re-register a current number or register a new number you have two easy-to-use options:  1) Call the National Do-Not-Call Registry at 1-888-382-1222 and follow the automated directions or  2) Go online to www.donotcall.gov and click on “Register a phone number.”  *Note, if you register online, be prepared to provide an email address through which you will receive an email that must be responded to within 72 hours.

Also, please be aware that hoax emails are circulating stating that your phone number is going to be removed from the Do-Not-Call list within a matter of days and that you will be charged for future calls received from telemarketers.  The Federal Trade Commission has stated that these emails are false and that no phone numbers can be removed from the Do-Not-Call list until the five year time limit is reached June 2008.

(via Interesting…)