The Tennessee Do Not Call List allows Tennesseans to add their phone numbers to a registry that forbids unwanted telephone solicitations. The Tennessee Do Not Call Telephone Sales Solicitation law T.C.A. Section 65-4-401 et seq., authorizes the Tennessee Public Utility Commission (TPUC) to promulgate regulations, compile, and maintain a Do Not Call Register. The Tennessee Do Not Call (DNC) List consists of Tennessee residential telephone subscribers who have elected not to receive telephone solicitations. However, business telephone numbers may not be included on the DNC List.
The DNC law prohibits anyone attempting to sell consumer goods and services by telephone from contacting phone numbers that are registered on the DNC List. Tennessee provides for the following exemptions to the DNC List:
- Telephone solicitors may call in response to an express invitation or permission by the call recipient
- Telephone solicitors may call on behalf of a not-for-profit organization if the call is made by a member of the specific not-for-profit organization
- Telephone solicitation is permitted if the business calling does not sell or engage in telephone solicitation and does not make more than three calls in any one calendar week.
- Telephone solicitation is allowed if the person or entity making the telephone calls has had a business relationship with the call recipient within the past 12 months.
If you still receive unwanted calls after adding your number to the DNC List, use a reverse phone lookup service to identify and block such numbers. You can also file a complaint with TPUC Consumer Services and External Affairs Division by calling 1-800-342-8359.
Is Tennessee Do Not Call Lists Different from National Do Not Call Registry?
Yes. Although both lists are compiled and maintained to restrict unsolicited calls, the Tennessee Do Not Call List differs from the National Do Not Call Registry. Some basic differences between both lists include:
- The Tennessee List is administered by the state's Public Utility Commission, while the Federal Trade Commission administers the National Registry.
- Phone numbers registered on the Tennessee DNC List go into effect 30 days from the end of the month in which they are registered. With the National Registry, phone numbers must be registered for 31 days before telemarketers are restricted from contacting them.
Note that both the Tennessee DNC and the National DNC registries are only open to residential phone numbers. Business numbers may not be registered. Registration on the national and state lists is free.
How Do I Register on Tennessee Do Not Call List?
Tennesseans may add their residential telephone numbers and cell phone number to the state's DNC List through the online registration form on the TPUC website. The form allows residents to add up to three phone numbers at a time. The area code for each phone number is required during registration.
You can also register your phone number by calling 1-877-872-7030. TPUC takes all necessary steps to protect the confidentiality of the information maintained in its DNC database in accordance with T.C.A. Title 10, Chapter 7.
What Should I Know about Tennessee Do Not Call List?
The Tennessee Do Not Call Registry was created to provide relief to Tennessee residents from unwanted telemarketing calls to their residence. The Do Not Call List of the state was established in 1999 by the Tennessee General Assembly. Names of persons who have added their numbers to the list remain on the register until they request the TPUC to remove their names or when their telephone numbers are disconnected.
If you need to have your number removed from the register, contact the TPUC by calling 615-741-2904 or by writing to:
Tennessee Public Utility Commission
502 Deaderick Street, 4th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
Requests must include your name, address, and the telephone number(s) you want removed from the program.
Note that the DNC list does not stop all telemarketing calls. Telemarketers may still contact you under certain conditions:
- With your invitation or permission
- Calls from political candidates or other political telemarketing calls may still get through to you. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees free speech, and although the Supreme Court of the United States allows the regulation of commercial speech, it provides much greater protection from government regulation of political speech.
- Occasional telemarketing call, provided the call is not part of a telemarketing business plan and the business does not make more than three random telemarketing calls per calendar week
- Calls made by or on behalf of non-profit organizations, provided that the call is made by an employee or member of the non-profit organization.
- Calls that are considered business-to-consumer calls, provided a business transaction with the recipient has happened over the previous 12 months. Such calls include calls from a credit card company, a family dentist, or a pest control money.
- Calls from collection agencies are not covered by the provisions in the Tennessee Do Not Call Law. Therefore, such agencies may still contact you even after registration on the state's DNC list.