Florida Do Not Call Program
File a Complaint | Deadlines to Subscribe | If You Receive a Sales Call
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services maintains the State's "Do Not Call" list. Florida residents who do not wish to receive sales calls may have their residential, mobile or paging device telephone number included on this list. Business numbers may not be included on the list.
It is unlawful to make telephone sales calls before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. local time or prevent transmission of the solicitor's name or telephone number to the party called. The most frequent violations of the Do Not Call law occur because a solicitor: failed to identify his or her true first and last names and the business on whose behalf he or she is soliciting immediately upon making contact; called a telephone number on the Do Not Call list (subscriber); made a pre-recorded sales call to either a subscriber or non-subscriber.
Florida Do Not Call Statute - Telephone solicitation, the complete Florida Statute.
Do Not Call FAQs - Frequently asked questions and contact information.
Exemptions to the Florida Do Not Call Law |
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Some unsolicited sales calls are exempt from the provisions of the law. Solicitors may make calls, when:
- A prior or existing business relationship exists.
- In response to an express request of the person called.
- From a newspaper publisher.
- In connection with an existing debt or contract.
- A real estate agent responds to a yard sign or other advertisement.
Furthermore, some solicitations calls are not "telephonic sales calls" as defined in the statute because they typically are not selling a product or service. Generally, these calls are from:
- Charitable organizations seeking donations.
- Political candidates and political parties seeking donation.
- Research or survey companies seeking an opinion.
- Collection agencies trying to locate a debtor or collect on a debt.
Deadlines to Subscribe |
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The Florida Do Not Call list is updated on a quarterly basis. In order to include your residential telephone number on the next available quarter's Do Not Call list, your subscription request must be received by the date indicated below:
Receipt Deadline | Quarter |
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November 25 |
January-March |
February25 |
April-June |
May 25 |
July-September |
August 25 |
October-December |
If You Receive a Sales Call... |
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Anyone who receives a sales call in violation should attempt to obtain as much information as possible from the caller and immediately report the violation to the Department by calling 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352)
and request a form via regular mail, download a Do Not Call Complaint Form or file a Do Not Call Online Complaint.
If possible, try to include the following information about the caller:
- Name of the company
- Telephone number of the company
- Name of person making the call
- Date and time of call
- Products or services offered
The Department has the authority to contact the solicitor and inform it of the requirements of the law. While the Department does not resolve individual consumer problems, your complaint will help us investigate the company and could lead to an enforcement action. If the offender does not comply with the law and the Department seeks legal action, the law provides for civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation and injunctive relief through the courts.
Subscribe |
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The Florida Do Not Call program has been improved. One of the major changes in the statute is the elimination of the subscription fee. There is no longer a cost to consumers for this service. If you subscribe, your residential and/or cell phone number will be placed on the list for a period of five (5) years.
File a Complaint |
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Do Not Call Online Complaint Form - File an online Florida Do Not Call complaint.
Do Not Call Complaint Form - Download the Florida Do Not Call Complaint Form and remit by mail.
UPDATE: The Florida Do Not Call Program has not been affected by the recent Federal court decisions regarding the Federal Trade Commission's Do Not Call Registry. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will continue to accept subscribers and complaints in enforcement of Florida law.
National Do Not Call Registry |
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On October 1, 2003, the National Do Not Call Registry went into effect. The registry was established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Consumers may register their residential or mobile telephone number with the FTC. Registering your numbers with this registry is free. You can register over the Internet at www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222, TTY 1-866-290-4236.
Consumers who don't want to register for the National Do Not Call Registry may still tell telemarketers that they don't wish to receive solicitations. Businesses are required to maintain a list of consumers who have made a do-not-call request, and it is a violation to call a consumer who has asked to be placed on the company's do-not-call list.
Around the Country |
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Federal Trade Commission | Federal Communications Commission
Nevada |
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