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 Beginning Sept. 1, many of those bothersome prerecorded telemarketing calls will be a thing of the past.
The Federal Trade Commission announced today that it is banning robocalls to consumers, unless the telemarketer has obtained permission in writing from consumers who want to receive such calls.
“Over the past several months, the FTC has taken action against companies that employ  robocalls. This new regulation will help protect consumers from pre-recorded sales pitches, solicitations, and malicious marketing,” said Warren King, BBB President.
After September 1, sellers and telemarketers who transmit prerecorded messages to consumers who have not agreed in writing to accept such messages will face penalties of up to $16,000 per call.
The rule amendments do not prohibit calls that deliver purely “informational” recorded messages – those that notify recipients, for example, that their flight has been cancelled, an appliance they ordered will be delivered at a certain time, or that their child’s school opening is delayed. In addition, calls not covered by the TSR – including those from politicians, banks, telephone carriers, certain healthcare messages and most charitable organizations – are not covered by the new prohibition.
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