The National Do-Not-Call Registry grew to 88 million telephone numbers in 2004, according to the Federal Communications Commission's annual report prepared for Congress.
The report released by the FCC said consumers listed on the registry reported an 80% reduction in telemarketing calls.
Through the end of 2004 the FCC received more than 675,000 complaints from consumers listed on the registry who nevertheless reported receiving telemarketing calls. The total number of complaints equals about 1% of the telephone numbers on the registry.
According to polls taken by Harris Interactive and the Customer Care Alliance, 92% of consumers listed on the registry received fewer telemarketing calls as a result. About 25% consumers reported they have received no telemarketing calls since they signed up for the registry.
Seventeen out of 25 states that maintain their own do-not-call telemarketing lists have downloaded the national registry file and appended those telephone numbers to the state lists.
The FCC said it has initiated 93 investigations concerning alleged violations of the do-not-call regulations, issued 15 citations and entered into two consent decrees to end investigations. Most of the complaints involve financial services companies.
