Attorney General's News Release

June 28, 2002

Missouri No Call tops 1 million three days before one-year anniversary of law, Nixon announces

Jefferson City, Mo. — The number of Missouri home telephone numbers on the No Call list topped the 1 million mark today, Attorney General Jay Nixon announced. The milestone, reached early this afternoon, comes three days before the one-year anniversary of the enforcement provisions of the Missouri No Call law taking effect last July 1.

"This phenomenal response shows how strongly Missourians want to protect the quiet time they have at home," Nixon said. "With each phone number representing approximately 2.5 people, it means that more than 2.5 million Missourians now are enjoying dinnertime without the incessant interruption of telemarketing calls."

Nixon said in keeping with the intent of the No Call law, he would not identify any individual Missourian as having the one millionth phone number to be registered.

"I also will not be calling whoever that Missourian is with congratulations," Nixon said. "The fact he or she has signed up for No Call means they would rather not take phone calls."

The Attorney General credited Missourians on the No Call list with providing the information about No Call violations that has resulted in his office collecting $585,000 from 71 telemarketers since last July 1. Nixon said that amount includes $5,000 collected today from another telemarketer, Smith and Associates, of Houston, Texas, which paid for soliciting Missourians on the No Call list.

"In addition to telemarketing calls being reduced greatly, we've also seen another side benefit for consumers," Nixon said. "Since last July, the number of complaints we've received about telemarketing fraud has been cut in half, meaning fewer Missourians are becoming victims of phone fraud."

Anyone not yet on Missouri's No Call list can still sign up through one of two methods, both of which are quick, simple and free, Nixon said. The first is by going online, and the second is by calling toll-free 1-866-NOCALL1 (1-866-662-2551). Once on the list, consumers only need to re-register if they move or change phone numbers.

View map showing the percentage of No Call registrations by county.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818