Don't You Dare Call

Ah, the lovely DO NOT call me and screw up my dinner or wake up my baby because I'm going to tell you off and not buy your crappy product or service anyway list is set to expire soon.

Numbers placed on the registry, begun in June 2003, are valid for five years. For the millions of people who signed onto the list in its early days, their numbers will automatically drop off beginning next June if they do not enroll again.

While the Federal Trade Commission, the government entity overseeing this list, says it is no big deal to re-register, some legislators are actually doing something worthwhile and valuable and pondering making every number on this list expiration-free.

"When someone takes the time and effort to say 'I don't want these kinds of calls coming into my house,' they shouldn't have to keep a calendar to find out when they have to re-up to keep this nuisance from happening," [Rep. Mike] Doyle [D-PA] said in an interview.

The FTC built the five-year expiration date into the program to account for changes, such as people who move and switch their phone number, [FTC Spokesperson Lydia] Parnes said.

Doyle, however, points out that the list is purged each month of numbers that have been disconnected and reassigned to new customers.

Remember you can register (or re-register next year) your numbers at www.donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222.