Indiana residential telephone numbers are one step closer to receiving fuller protection from unwanted solicitations today as the Judiciary Committee voted unanimously 9-0 to approve House Bill 1273 for a second reading. Under the proposed law, Indiana’s Attorney General will have greater enforcement authority over telemarketers who make unwanted solicitation calls to Indiana phone numbers, whether they to be to landlines, cell phones or internet-based VOIP lines, that are registered on the state’s Do Not Call list. Additionally, the law prohibits the practice of sending text or picture based solicitations to cell phones, which are often costly to recipients.
Being placed on the Do Not Call list will eliminate most telemarketing calls, but not all. Under Indiana law, certain groups may still make calls to those on the list including insurance agents, realtors, newspapers and most charities. If a call which does not meet this criteria is received, consumers are encouraged to file a complaint online or by calling 1-888-834-9969.