MURPHY & WEISS
Attorneys, PA
Brevard's Elder Law Firm
1800 Penn Street, Suite 6
Melbourne, FL 32901-2625
Phone (321) 676-2525
appearing on the No Calls List
The marketing efforts of many businesses and
organizations depend on the telephone. But many consumers do not like
the intrusion of telephone sales calls into their personal life. Florida
was the first state to address the matter through specific legislation,
and continues to be a strong leader concerning Floridian's right to
privacy. Under the Florida Telephone Solicitation Act, The Florida Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services compiles a list of consumers who do not wish to receive sale solicitations over the phone.
All telephone solicitations' firms that are covered by the law are prohibited from calling those numbers appearing on the
"No Sales Solicitation Calls List," regardless of the business's location.
Consumers desiring to subscribe to this service pay $10 for the first year and $5 to renew each year thereafter. The
Department automatically provides renewal notices. Multi-year subscriptions are available, and consumers may simply remit the amount appropriate for the term of service they would like to receive. Subscribers' residential telephone numbers are then listed, and the number of sales calls they receive should be dramatically reduced. New subscribers receive a letter and information about enforcement of the law and how to file complaints. A new subscribers's service goes into effect when the list is updated every three months.
Some types of calls and businesses are exempt from the provisions of the law. Solicitors may make calls:
*In response to an expressed request by the person called.
All solicitors must identify themselves by true first and last name, and state the name of the firm on whose behalf they are calling. Many telephone solicitors make use of automated dialing devices that randomly dial telephone numbers. The law permits automated dialing devices with live messages under certain circumstances, but prohibits recorded sales messages. The law prohibits random dialing devices from calling unlisted telephone numbers or numbers on the "No Sales Solicitation Calls List."
Consumers currently subscribing to this service can report prohibited sales calls to the Department online via the Internet or by writing.
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Please include the name, address and telephone number
of the company, the name of the person making the call, your address,
name and telephone number, the date and time of the call, and the
products or services offered. The success of the Department's
enforcement actions depends on the informations provided by the
subscribers. For more information about this service, call
1-800-HELPFLA (1-800-435-7352) or check their website on the Internet at
*In reference to an existing debt or contract.
*To any person with whom the telephone solicitor has a prior or an existing business relationship.
*If they are employed by a newspaper or are calling about newspaper business.
Mayo Building, Second Floor
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0800
