The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has amended its Telemarketing Sales Rule (16 CFR 310) to address the national "do not call" registry scheduled to launch in July 2003. Apartment firms should note that they are potentially liable for any errors made by telemarketers working on their behalf since telemarketers will be required to identify their client each time they access the registry. Consumers may begin registering in July, beginning in September, telemarketers must scrub their call lists against the national DNC registery at least once every 90 days. The revised rule also includes new provisions restricting call abandonment, requiring telemarketers to transmit caller ID information, and cracking down on unauthorized billing. FTC and state enforcement begins in October.

NMHC/NAA have produced a guidance document to help members comply with the Do-Not-Call regulations and related Do-Not-Fax rules.  Click here to access it.