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Explainer

The Do Not Call Registry: What It Stops, What It Can't, and Why It's Still Worth It

Short answer

Registering at DoNotCall.gov is free, never expires, and tells law-abiding companies not to make sales calls to your number. Scam callers are already breaking the law, so a list doesn't stop them. Knowing that line tells you what to expect and what a call that still gets through probably is.

See who has to honor it

We never ask for your phone number; register only on the official DoNotCall.gov site or by phone.

FTC-sourced facts
Registration rules and exemptions follow the FTC's own Do Not Call FAQ.
Honest limits
We say plainly what the registry can't do, including stopping scam calls.
Independent guide
CallerCheck isn't affiliated with the FTC, any carrier, or any phone maker.
A phone number card filed in a Do Not Call folder, with a note on what the list stops and what it can’t.
Illustration, not a real phone interface.

Who Honors the Registry, and Who Ignores It

The registry is a rule for companies that follow the law; scammers were never playing by it.

Criterion Law-abiding telemarketer Scam caller
Checks the registry Must scrub its call lists against the registry before making sales calls. Never checks it; its calls are illegal whether or not you register.
When you've registered Sales calls should stop within up to 31 days, per the FTC. Nothing changes, because the calls were already illegal.
Caller ID Must send a real callback number, but caller ID alone never proves a call is legitimate. Often faked to look local or official, so the number proves nothing.
Risk of penalties The FTC says violations can cost up to about $50,000 per call. Already breaking the law, so a registry listing adds no new deterrent.
What they want To sell a product, and must stop if you ask not to be called. Money, gift cards, codes, or personal details under false pretenses.

Register to cut legitimate sales calls. After 31 days, a sales call from a company you've never dealt with is a likely scam, not proof the registry failed.

"I Registered but Still Get Calls": What to Expect by Call Type

The band shows how likely registering is to reduce each kind of call.

  • Sales calls from real companies you've never dealt with

    High

    What helps: These companies must honor the registry once your number has been listed long enough.

    What gets in the way: It can take up to 31 days before they stop.

  • Sales calls from a company you recently bought from

    Medium

    What helps: Asking them directly not to call you again should end it.

    What gets in the way: A past purchase or written permission you gave lets them call despite the registry.

  • Political, charity, survey, or debt-collection calls

    Low

    What helps: Charity telemarketers must honor a direct request to stop calling.

    What gets in the way: The FTC lists these call types as outside the registry's scope.

  • Scam calls and illegal robocalls

    Low

    What helps: Blocking, carrier spam filters, and not answering unknown numbers cut them.

    What gets in the way: Scammers ignore the registry because their calls are already illegal.

Note: These are qualitative expectations based on the FTC's description of the registry, not measured rates; results vary by caller and carrier.

How to Register, Check, and Use It

Four facts cover everything you need to do with the registry.

  • Register free

    Sign up at DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want listed.

  • Never expires

    Your number stays listed unless it's disconnected, reassigned, or you ask to remove it.

  • Verify anytime

    Check your registration at DoNotCall.gov or by calling the same number from that phone.

  • Ask them directly

    Tell a company you've dealt with to stop calling; the registry doesn't cover past customers.

Note: When you register online, confirm through the email link within 72 hours. No legitimate service charges a fee to register you.

Questions people ask

I'm on the Do Not Call Registry. Why am I still getting calls?

Most calls that get through are either exempt from the registry, such as political, charity, survey, debt-collection, or informational calls, or they're scams. Scammers ignore the registry because their calls are already illegal. A sales call from a company you've never dealt with, arriving more than 31 days after you registered, is a strong sign it's not a legitimate business.

Does my registration expire?

No. According to the FTC, a number stays on the registry permanently unless it's disconnected and reassigned, or you ask to have it removed. You don't need to re-register.

Does it cost anything to register?

No. Registration at DoNotCall.gov or by phone at 1-888-382-1222 is free. Anyone who calls offering to put you on the list for a fee is running a scam.

Can I register my cell phone?

Yes. You can register cell phones and landlines. If you register by phone, call from the number you want to add.

What should I do when a registered number still gets a sales call?

Don't press any keys or call back. Report it; our guide to reporting a spam call shows which FTC form fits.