Texas “No Call List” Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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What is the Texas "No Call List?"

You may now add your telephone number to the statewide "No Call List." By placing your residential or wireless phone number on this list, you can help to limit the number of telemarketing calls that you receive. The "No Call List" is administered by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) which has contracted with a professional services firm.

How do I sign up?

  1. Register online at www.texasnocall.com for instant registration. Use this easy, automated method to expedite your registration. The site is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
  2. To register by mail, use the printable Business Registration or Residential Registration form. Send form to: Texas No Call, 711 Atlantic Ave. 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02111.

I did not write down my confirmation number. How can I confirm that my phone number is registered to one/both of the lists?

You may contact Texas "No Call Lists" customer service toll free at 1-888-309-0600. If you do have your confirmation number, you may confirm your registration online at www.texasnocall.com .

Will putting my name on the list stop all telemarketing calls?

No, but it will help limit the number of telemarketing calls that you receive. The intent of the legislation is to stop unwanted telemarketing calls to customers from companies with whom the customer does not have an existing business relationship. House Bill 143 passed by the 2007 Texas Legislative session further defines a call to include the transmission of a text or graphic message or image to a mobile telephone number. However, customers with existing business relationships may continue to receive calls from these companies. In addition, customers with prior business relationships may receive calls from businesses with which they did business for one year after the relationship was terminated. Also, if a customer requests contact from a company, the company may respond to that request. Non-profit and political organizations are exempt from complying with the list.

How much does list registration cost?

Statewide "Do Not Call List"
There is no charge to register your residential or wireless number on the statewide "Do Not Call List." Your number(s) will remain on the list for three years.

How long after I place my number on a list, and pay my fee, should I expect to stop receiving calls?

Within 60 days of when your phone number first appears on the published list, telemarketers must stop calling your number. The lists are updated on a quarterly basis to include new phone numbers.

Will registering for the list stop out-of-state telemarketers from calling me?

Yes. Any telemarketer calling Texas phone numbers must adhere to the law.

What if I continue to receive telemarketing calls?

You may continue to receive these types of calls because there are exemptions to the law. You may file a complaint alleging a violation with the Customer Protection Division of the PUC, or you may wish to contact the Office of the Attorney General.

Are there exemptions to the law?

The statewide "Do Not Call List" applies to companies who are trying to "sell" you a consumer good or service over the telephone. While registering your residential or wireless telephone number will reduce the number of telephone solicitations you receive, it will not eliminate them. Companies are still allowed to solicit to you over the telephone if:

  • You have an established business relationship with them; or
  • The telemarketer is a state licensee and;
    1. The call is not made by an automated telephone dialing system; and
    2. The solicitation requires a face-to-face presentation to complete the sales transaction and make payment; and
    3. The consumer has not informed the telemarketer that the consumer does not wish to receive telemarketing calls from the telemarketer.

    Why are there exceptions to the lists?

    The Legislation mandated certain exemptions to the list. However, if you receive a call from anyone operating under these exemptions, you may still tell them not to call back. Under existing law, they may not call again.

    What is considered an "established relationship" with a telemarketer?

    This is a business relationship with any commercial entity within the last 12 months. If you currently do business with a credit card company, the company may continue to call you for 12 months after the date of cancellation or throughout the life of your account, unless you request to be placed on the company's internal Do Not Call List.

    What other types of unsolicited telephone calls will I still receive even if I register?

    Not all unsolicited telephone calls are telephone solicitations. Many people receive unsolicited telephone calls from organizations that are not engaged in commercial "telephone solicitation" and as a result, these organizations are not required to comply with the statewide "Do Not Call List." For example, debt collectors calling about a debt are explicitly exempted from the law as are non-profit organizations and charities that are not making commercial "telephone solicitations."

    Must a charity have 501 (c)(3) status to be considered exempt from the "Do Not Call Lists"?

    Yes. The Texas Business and Commerce Code classified a charity or non-profit as those that have 501 (c)(3) status.

    Does this apply to calls made by automatic or "predictive" dialers?

    Yes. The "No Call Lists" apply to telephone solicitation calls by any device, including automatic or predictive dialing devices.

    I'm not sure if my phone number is registered? How do I find out?

    You can confirm your registration through our online search. If you have misplaced your reference number, call our customer service line at 1-888-309-0600.

    I am providing my name, address and phone number. Is this information secure? Can a telemarketer use this information to send me direct mail?

    No. Telemarketers are prohibited from using the lists for any other purposes.  Telemarketers are provided a list of telephone numbers without any names or address.

    Can an out-of-state person register for the lists?

    No. Only Texas phone numbers may be included on the lists.

    Why is the PUC using an out-of-state contractor to maintain the lists?

    The PUC issued a Request for Proposals as mandated by Texas law. The company selected met the criteria within the Request at the best value and lowest price.

    Can I register my wireless phone number for the statewide “Do Not Call List”?

    Yes, you may register your mobile or wirelss phone number for the statewide “Do Not Call List”.

    Is there a national “Do Not Call List”?

    Yes. The Federal Trade Commission manages a National Do Not Call Registry. You may sign up at www.donotcall.gov or by calling toll free 1-888-382-1222 (tty 1-866-290-4236). You can register your residential and wireless phone numbers for free.

    How do I file a complaint?

    First, if you have contact information, contact the business. If the business does not resolve a problem directly, you can file a complaint with Public Utility Commission, the Office of the Attorney General, the Better Business Bureau in your area, or a small claims court.

    Contact the Customer Protection Division of the Public Utility Commission of Texas by calling toll free 1-888-782-8477 (TTY 1-800-735-2988), emailing customer@puc.texas.gov, or completing the Online Complaint form. You may also want to contact the Office of the Attorney General Customer Protection Hotline toll free at 1-800-621-0508.

    When filing a complaint with the PUC, the complaint should explain in detail the problem, the company involved, steps you have already taken to remedy the problem, if any, and the action you think should be taken. In particular it should:

    1. Identify the business. Include the name and other identifying information that you may have, e.g., the current business address, telephone number.
    2. Describe the problem. Describe as completely as you can the problem or complaint.
    3. Explain what you want. Explain what you want the business to do or how you want the problem solved.
    4. Include photocopies. Always include photocopies of documents relevant to your complaint receipts, warranties, both sides of cancelled checks, contracts, etc. Do not send originals. Only send copies, except upon request of the agency to which you are making your complaint. You may fax to the PUC at (512) 936-7003.

    Can I pursue my own enforcement action?

    You may bring a civil action based on a second or subsequent violation if:

    • You have notified the telemarketer of the alleged violation and not later than the 30th day after the date of the call you file a complaint with the PUC; and
    • The PUC, or another state agency, fails to initiate an investigation against the telemarketer before the 121st day after the complaint is filed.

    What is the difference between the Texas "Do Not Call" list and the Direct Marketing Association's "Do Not Call" list?

    The Direct Marketing Association's list is a nationwide, voluntary list that telemarketers may obtain to avoid calling people at home who do not wish to receive calls. The Direct Marketing list carries no penalties for calling people on that list, and is not enforceable by any state or federal agency. The Texas "No Call List" is an enforceable mandate by the Texas Legislature to provide protections for those individuals who want to limit telemarketing calls to their residential telephone number(s).

    When registering online, why am I asked for my email address?

    The Texas PUC requests your email address so that we may send correspondence about the Texas "No Call List." You will receive a notification when your three-year registration is about to expire. At that time, you will have an opportunity to renew your registration. The PUC will not use your email address for any other purpose, nor will it be provided to any third party.

    How do Telemarketers subscribe to the list?

    Telephone solicitors subscribe to the "No Call Lists" at www.texasnocall.com and download the file of customers every quarter.

    Does this apply to calls made that use a text message or photo?

    Yes, House Bill 143 (effective Sept. 1 , 2007) further defines a call to include the transmission of a text or graphic message or image to a mobile telephone number.