Hazelwood Residents May Register Cell Phones on the No-Call List in Missouri

In the world of 24-hour technology, nonstop telemarketer intrusion can cease.

As of Thursday at least.

can join the more than 61,000 Missourians signed up for the state’s no-call list for cell phones after the registry went live on Thursday, according to Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster.

That lets you know how many people were fed up with telemarketing calls on the cellular.

That also means no more "text stop to stop receiving our messages" texts, right?

Yes, but not immediately.

House Bill 1549

Gov. Jay Nixon signed the bill on Thursday. There is a lag-time between when you register for the list and when telemarketers have to stop contacting you.

Missouri sends its updated no-call list to telemarketers on a quarterly basis. So those who add their mobile numbers to the list by July 31 will be covered starting October 1. Anyone signing up after July 31 but before November 1 will be covered January 1, so on and so forth.

State vs Federal

The federal Do Not Call Registry has included cell phones since it was started in 2003. For the federal registry, telemarketers are given 31 days before they have to stop contacting you once your name has been added to the registry.

Koster said one of the main differences between state and federal no-call lists are the state law has more enforcement behind it because his office is more aggressive in responding to violators.

Still, signing up for both is probably best.

Each law was built with exemptions and loopholes. Here are a couple things to note:

• The Missouri and federal lists are supposed to cover just personal cell phones -- and not work cell phones, which is the same with landlines.

• Businesses and organizations like telephone companies, political organizations, charities, and people with whom you have an existing business relationship or whom you’ve invited to contact you are often exempt from the no-call lists.

Violators Will Be...

Remember, signing up for either of these lists doesn’t guarantee all calls will end. Telemarketers who have violated the law have paid more than $2 million in fines and civil penalties to Koster’s office since 2010.

A telemarketer who violates the law faces a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for each knowing violation.

To Sign Up

To register for the Missouri no-call list, go to ago.mo.gov or call 1-866-BUZZOFF (289-9633). To sign up for the federal no-call list, go to www.donotcall.gov or call 888-382-1222.

Read Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster's complete press release.