DNC List
Definition
Do Not Call registry of phone numbers opted out of telemarketing. Always scrub aged lead lists against the National DNC Registry.
Understanding the DNC List
The Do Not Call (DNC) list is a registry maintained by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) where consumers can register their phone numbers to opt out of telemarketing calls. There are two types: the National DNC Registry, which contains over 240 million numbers, and individual company DNC lists that you must maintain based on anyone who asks you to stop calling. Violating DNC rules carries penalties of $500 to $51,744 per call, depending on whether the violation was willful.
How It Works in Practice
Before calling any batch of aged leads, you must scrub your list against the National DNC Registry. Access costs $75 per year for up to 5 area codes at telemarketing.donotcall.gov. You must also maintain your own internal DNC list of anyone who has ever told you or your company to stop calling — this list never expires. Some states maintain their own DNC lists with additional requirements. California, Texas, Florida, Indiana, and Pennsylvania are among the strictest.
The scrubbing process is straightforward: upload your lead list to a DNC scrubbing service, which cross-references each number against federal and state registries. Numbers that match are flagged and removed from your calling list. Services like DNC.com and Gryphon Networks automate this process. Keep records of every scrub — date, list size, results — as proof of compliance in case of complaints.
Why It Matters for Aged Leads
Aged leads carry elevated DNC risk because prospects may have registered after their initial inquiry. Someone who filled out a form six months ago and then added their number to the DNC registry is off-limits for telemarketing calls. An established business relationship (EBR) exemption exists for companies that have sold to the consumer within the last 18 months, but lead buyers typically do not qualify for EBR. Always scrub, always document, and always honor stop-calling requests immediately. The cost of compliance is negligible compared to the cost of a single FTC complaint.
Related Lead Types
Related Terms
TCPA
Telephone Consumer Protection Act — federal law regulating telemarketing calls, texts, and faxes. Requires prior express consent for auto-dialed or pre-recorded calls. Critical compliance consideration when calling aged leads.
Opt-In
A consumer's explicit agreement to receive communications. Real-time leads typically have opt-in consent for the original buyer. Aged leads may not have specific consent for your company — consult compliance.
FTC Disclosure
Federal Trade Commission-required disclosures for advertising, endorsements, and affiliate relationships. Required on websites that earn affiliate commissions from product recommendations.
CMS Guidelines
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services marketing rules that govern how Medicare products can be advertised and sold. Medicare agents must follow strict CMS guidelines when contacting aged Medicare leads.
Scope of Appointment (SOA)
A CMS-required form that must be signed before a Medicare sales appointment. Documents which types of plans will be discussed. Must be collected 48+ hours before the meeting.
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