The Massachusetts Do Not Call Registry helps you avoid unwanted telemarketing calls and texts. By registering your phone number for free, telemarketers are legally required to stop contacting you. Here’s what you need to know:
- How It Works: Once registered, your number remains on the list indefinitely unless you disconnect it or request removal. Telemarketers must check the list quarterly and avoid contacting listed numbers.
- Registration Options: Sign up online, by phone (866-339-1475), or by mail. It’s free and easy.
- Blocked vs. Allowed Calls: Sales calls and robocalls are blocked, but nonprofits, political campaigns, and businesses you have a relationship with can still call.
- What to Do About Violations: File complaints with the Massachusetts Attorney General if unwanted calls persist after 90 days. Violators face fines up to $5,500 per call.
Register today to reduce interruptions and protect your privacy.
How to Register Your Phone Number
How to Register for Massachusetts Do Not Call List – 3 Easy Methods
Adding your phone number to the Massachusetts Do Not Call Registry is a simple, one-time process – and it’s completely free. Managed by Fiserv (formerly First Data) on behalf of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, your number will remain on the list indefinitely unless you disconnect it or request its removal. Here’s how you can register:
Register Online
Head to the Massachusetts Do Not Call List registration page to get started. Enter your phone number, fill out the form, and submit it. You can also check your registration status and the effective date directly on the portal. The website operates 24/7, so you can register whenever it’s convenient for you. This is a critical step in learning how to stop the calls from unwanted solicitors.
Register by Phone
Prefer to do it over the phone? Call the toll-free number 866-339-1475. The automated service is also available 24/7, making it quick and easy to add your number. Just follow the voice prompts to complete your registration.
Register by Mail
If mailing is more your style, fill out the official registration form and send it to:
Massachusetts Do Not Call, c/o Fiserv, 6855 Pacific Street, 4th Floor FDGS, Omaha, NE 68106.
Keep in mind, though, that mail-in registrations take longer to process compared to online or phone options.
A word of caution: Be wary of anyone claiming they can sign you up or verify your number for the Do Not Call list. These offers are scams. The state will never call or email you to enroll, and there are no fees involved for registration.
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Which Calls Are Blocked and Which Are Allowed
Signing up for the Massachusetts Do Not Call Registry can cut down on those annoying telemarketing calls, but it won’t stop every type of call. Here’s a breakdown of which calls get blocked and which ones are still allowed, so you can figure out if you need to take additional steps.
Calls That Are Blocked
Once you’re on the registry, unsolicited sales calls are off-limits. This includes both live telemarketing calls and automated robocalls trying to sell you something. Massachusetts law also bans unsolicited fax messages and prevents telemarketers from using technology to hide their caller ID.
Telemarketers also have to stick to specific hours. They’re not allowed to call between 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM (even though federal rules allow calls until 9:00 PM). If they break these rules, they can face hefty fines – up to $5,500 per violation under state law and as much as $50,120 per call under federal regulations.
Calls That Are Allowed
Some calls are exempt from the registry’s restrictions. For example, tax-exempt nonprofits, such as charities or universities, as well as political campaigns and non-commercial survey companies, are still allowed to contact you. Businesses you already have a relationship with – like your bank, insurance company, or a service provider – can also call you.
Other allowed calls include ones you’ve specifically asked for, purely informational messages (like appointment reminders or school closures), and calls from solicitors aiming to set up an in-person meeting. If you’d rather not hear from these callers, you can withdraw your consent by directly asking them to stop. By law, they have to respect your request. So, while nonprofit, political, and relationship-based calls are allowed, you still have some control over them.
How to Check and Update Your Registration
Once you’ve registered, it’s a good idea to confirm your number’s status or update it if necessary. Your registration is permanent, so you don’t have to re-register unless you change your phone number. The registry is managed by Fiserv (formerly First Data), a third-party vendor responsible for handling all verification and removal requests.
Verify Your Registration Status
Checking your registration status is straightforward and free. Head to the official Massachusetts Do Not Call List page on Mass.gov. Under the "Sign-up online" section, enter your phone number in the consumer registration form. From there, select "Check registration status and effective date", then click continue. This will show whether your number is on the list and the date it became effective.
Prefer to make a call? Dial 866-339-1475 – a toll-free number available 24/7.
Keep in mind that after registering, it can take up to 90 days for unsolicited sales calls to stop. So, don’t worry if you still receive some calls during that period. If you ever need to remove your number, follow the steps below.
Remove Your Number from the List
Need to take your number off the list? You’ve got two easy options.
- Call 866-339-1475 and request removal.
- Alternatively, fill out a "Delete Request Form", print it, and mail it to:
Massachusetts Do Not Call
c/o First Data
6855 Pacific Street, 4th Floor FDGS
Omaha, NE 68106
If you switch to a new phone number, don’t forget to register the new one and remove the old one.
What to Do When You Get Unwanted Calls
Still getting those annoying calls even after registering on the Do Not Call list? You’re not alone, but there’s something you can do. The Massachusetts Attorney General has the power to take legal action against companies that break the Do Not Call Law. If your number has been on the registry for at least 90 days, you can file a complaint to help put an end to these calls.
Here’s how you can take action to protect your privacy and hold violators accountable.
File a Complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General
Before filing a complaint, make sure your number has been on the registry for at least 90 days. This ensures there’s enough time for the registry to update. Complaints about Do Not Call violations are handled by the Attorney General’s Consumer Advocacy and Response Division (CARD). There are three ways to file:
- Online: Visit the Mass.gov website.
- By Phone: Call the Consumer Hotline at 617-727-8400.
- By Mail: Send in your complaint.
When filing, provide as much detail as possible about the call – include the caller’s phone number, callback information, company name, and the date and time of the call.
"After adding your number to the registry, if you receive a call that is not under one of the Do Not Call law exemptions, it is most likely a scam or robocall… In this case, you may file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office." – Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
Make sure the call isn’t from an exempt source before filing. If you answer a robocall, hang up immediately. Don’t press any buttons or engage with the caller, as this could confirm your number is active and lead to even more calls. Companies breaking the law face steep fines – up to $5,500 per violation under state law, and federal fines can go as high as $50,120 per call.
Get Help from ReportTelemarketer.com
Another option is ReportTelemarketer.com, a free service designed to help stop unwanted calls. They investigate telemarketers, identify violations, and can send cease-and-desist letters or file formal complaints on your behalf.
Massachusetts law allows you to take legal action if you receive more than one unwanted call from the same entity within a 12-month period. You could recover up to $5,000 in damages. The best part? The service is completely free to you – attorney fees are charged to the telemarketers, not you.
Taking these steps can help you regain your peace of mind and hold violators accountable.
Conclusion
The Massachusetts Do Not Call List is a straightforward way to shield yourself from annoying telemarketing calls. This free service provides legal protection against unwanted solicitations. Once you register your number – whether online, by phone, or through the mail – you’re covered indefinitely. Keep in mind, the registry updates quarterly on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1. However, it takes 90 days for your registration to become fully active.
By signing up, you can restrict calls during prohibited hours and block unsolicited robocalls and fax advertisements. For the best results, consider registering with both the Massachusetts Do Not Call List and the National Do Not Call Registry – both services are free for residents.
If telemarketers continue to call after you’ve registered, you can file a complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office or use ReportTelemarketer.com. These tools allow you to investigate violations and even pursue legal action without any out-of-pocket costs – attorney fees are paid by the telemarketers. Massachusetts law also allows you to claim up to $5,000 in damages if the same company calls you more than once within a 12-month period.
Take action today to safeguard your privacy and peace of mind.
FAQs
Does the Do Not Call List stop spam texts too?
The Do Not Call List aims to cut down on unwanted sales calls, but it doesn’t extend to blocking spam texts or illegal scam calls. Its scope is limited to telemarketing calls and doesn’t include other forms of communication.
Why am I still getting calls after I registered?
After signing up, you might still get calls. Why? The registry only informs telemarketers not to contact your number – it doesn’t stop all unwanted calls, like those from scammers or illegal callers. Plus, it can take up to 31 days for sales calls to cease once your registration is processed.
What details should I save before reporting a violating call?
To report a call that violates the Massachusetts Do Not Call List, make sure to gather and keep these important details:
- Date and time the call occurred
- Phone number of the caller
- Name of the caller or company, if you know it
- Type of call, such as a robocall or a live telemarketer
This information is crucial for helping authorities investigate and take action against violators.
