Dealers must make sure that any number they are calling, for telemarketing purposes, is NOT included on the National “Do-Not-Call” (DNC) registry. As a reminder, any dealer seeking to access the DNC registry must first register with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and, if applicable, must annually pay the associated fees.
The FTC recently announced an increase in the DNC registration fees, effective October 1, 2016. The cost for each area code of data will increase to $61 (from $60), and the maximum amount that will be charged to any single entity for accessing area codes of data will increase to $16,714 (from $16,482).
Dealers who wish to have access to only five or fewer registered area codes from the DNC registry are exempt from the fee requirement (but must still register with the FTC). Dealerships that register six or more area codes must pay the fee when they renew their current subscription accounts.
For more information about the Telemarketing Sales Rule, please visit the following website:https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/complying-telemarketing-sales-rule.