You can also register with the Direct Marketing Association's "do not call" list which is a nation-wide list that teletmarketers can obtain voluntarily. This list is not enforceable by any Wisconsin or Federal agency and there are no penalties for calling people on this list.

The DMA's Telephone Preference Service allows consumers to opt out of receiving telemarketing calls from many national companies for five years.

When you register with the DMA's TPS, your name is put on a "delete" file that is updated four times per year and made available to telephone marketers. You should notice a decrease in the number of telemarketing calls you receive about two or three months after your name is entered into the quarterly file. Remember that your registration will not stop calls from organizations that are not registered with the DMA's Mail and Telephone Preference Services.

To delete your name from many telemarketing lists, contact the DMA, Fax your request to 212-790-1427; register online or mail it to either of the following addresses:

Credit bureaus offer a toll-free number to call to "opt-out" of having pre-approved credit offers sent to you, and limiting the information shared with others for promotional purposes for two years. In addition, you can notify the 3 major credit bureaus that you do not want personal information about you shared for promotional purposes. Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (567-8688) for more information,or

Write to:

These services are offered by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Visit their web site for more information.

Updated on 07-10-03