The Minnesota Do Not Call Law was implemented in response to consumers' concerns regarding unwanted telemarketing calls to their homes.

The National Do Not Call Registry, under the joint jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission was implemented a few months later. Minnesota's law applies to interstate and intrastate calls, while the federal law applies only to interstate calls.

Each law provides exemptions to the restrictions placed on telemarketers; however, it should be understood that the federal law is more restrictive than Minnesota's law. If a telemarketer is compliant with the federal law, it will be compliant with the Minnesota law. However, if a telemarketer only works to comply with Minnesota law, it will be in violation of the federal law.

State and Federal Do Not Call lists - and how to register your number

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is now registering consumers on a National Do Not Call list, similar to Minnesota's Do Not Call list.

Because of this change, the Department of Commerce recommends that the best way to register your number is to sign-up at www.ftc.gov/donotcall  or call toll-free, 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236), from the number you wish to register. Registration is free.

What the State law does NOT do

The Minnesota law will not stop all telemarketing calls to consumers. Certain organizations are exempt from the law, meaning they do not have to purchase the Do Not Call list and may continue to place telemarketing calls to Minnesota residents:

• Non profit organizations

• Political organizations

• Businesses with a prior relationship with the customer

• Solicitors that do not intend to complete the sale over the phone, but rather the same individual who made the call completes the sales presentation in a face-to-face setting.

What the State law does

The "Do Not Call List" law allows Minnesota consumers who do not want to be contacted by telemarketers to register their phone numbers on a Do Not Call list. Phone solicitors contacting consumers are required to purchase an updated list every 90 days and remove those phone numbers from their databases. At this point in time phone numbers will remain on a permanent basis. The Department of Commerce is charged with enforcing the applicable state law.

Don't expect to see immediate results. It may take up to three months before you notice any change in your phone traffic. Telemarketers are only required to update the list quarterly.

Other provisions in the No Call List law

• All telemarketers are prohibited from using devices that disable Caller ID on consumers' telephones.

• Telemarketers are required to identify themselves at the beginning of a call and, if requested, give you their phone number

• Companies that obtain the federal list may meet its requirement to buy the state list with proof of purchase of the numbers with Minnesota area codes.

For more information about the National Do Not Call Registry and to put your home phone number on the list, visit the Federal Trade Commission's web site at www.ftc.gov/donotcall .

Complaints or Problems

If you have complaints about calls you receive after signing onto the list, go to the Federal Complaint Registry, or print out our Complaint form. Fill it out and e-mail it directly to the Department of Commerce.

Minnesota Department of Commerce 
Consumer Protection & Education Division
85 7th Place East, Suite 500
St. Paul MN 55101