People who want to avoid telemarketers can join the National Do Not Call Registry, a service launched by the Federal Trade Commission intended to block most phone sales pitches.

Consumers can register by going online at www.donotcall.gov or by calling 888-382-1222 from the telephone with the number you would like to register.

If you register online, you will receive an e-mail from donotcall.gov as part of the confirmation process. You will need to click on the link in this e-mail within 72 hours after you receive it. If you don’t click on the link in the e-mail, the number you tried to register will not be added to the directory.

The law requires telemarketers to search the registry every three months and avoid calling any phone numbers that are on the registry. Your number will stay in the registry until it is disconnected or until you delete it from the registry.

Understand that some calls are not covered. Once your number has been on the registry for three months, most telemarketing calls will stop. However, you still may get:

• Calls from – or on behalf of – political organizations, charities and telephone surveys
• Calls from companies with whom you have an existing business relationship. A company may call you for 18 months after you make a purchase or three months after you submit an inquiry or application.
• Calls from companies you’ve given permission to call.

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them.

To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, log on to www.ftc.gov; or call toll-free:

• 1-877-FTC-HELP
  (1-877-382-4357)
• TTY
  1-866-653-4261

Harassing/Threatening Calls
State and federal laws provide that it is unlawful to use or permit another to use the telephone to intentionally harass another by telephoning without intent to converse. They also provide that it is unlawful to make obscene or threatening calls or to maliciously make false statements, by telephone, of the health of another. These laws have penalties of imprisonment and/or a fine for any violations thereof.

If you receive a threatening call, report it immediately to the police. If you receive obscene or harassing calls, follow these suggestions:

• Hang up at the first obscene word or if the caller doesn't say anything the second time you say hello.
• Give no information such as name, address, or the fact that you are alone.
• Advise children to not give information to strangers.
• If calls persist, see information on Caller ID, Customer Originated Trace, and Selective Call Rejection.

Caller ID
Caller ID is an arrangement which permits a customer to receive the calling telephone number or the telephone number and the calling name for calls placed to the customer. There is an additional monthly fee for this service. Please contact Shentel at 1-800-SHENTEL to subscribe to this service.

Customer Originated Trace
After you receive an annoyance call, hang up and wait approximately 5 seconds. Lift the receiver and listen for dial tone. If you have touchtone service, dial '*57'. If you do not have touchtone service, dial '1157'. A recording will prompt you to dial '1' to trace the call. Remain on the line for further instructions and information on charges. Please note that there is a fee for this service, and the call record information will only be released to the Sheriff's Department after Shentel receives a valid court order.

Selective Call Rejection
Selective Call Rejection is an arrangement which prevents a customer from receiving calls from certain telephone numbers. There is an additional monthly fee for this service. For details about this service, or to subscribe, please contact Shentel at 1-800-SHENTEL.