List to put telemarketers on hold

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- Linda Och was among the first to sign up for a statewide list of Pennsylvania residents who do not wish to be called by telemarketers, but she still hasn't had fewer interruptions from such calls.
Effective today, telemarketers will be barred from calling up more than 1.6 million Pennsylvanians who signed up to be placed on a statewide "do not call" registry. Telemarketers who break the new state law will be subject to penalties of $1,000 for each violation and $3,000 for each violation involving a consumer age 60 or older.
The ban goes into effect for those consumers who signed up for the list before a Sept. 15 cutoff date.
The state attorney general's office is still gathering the names of people who want to be placed on a new list that goes into effect Feb. 1. The list will be updated quarterly. Consumers may still register for the list by calling 1-888-777-3406.