Which of the following are allowed DNCL calls?

• A. Only business numbers
• B. All three: call business numbers; call consumers who have given consent to be called; call consumers who have an existing business relationship with the organization
• C. Only consumers who gave consent
• D. Only consumers with an existing relationship

Answer: (B)

Telemarketing rules around the Do Not Call List allow several clear exemptions. One exemption is calling business numbers—the idea is you’re contacting a business contact rather than a private consumer, so these calls are permitted. Another exemption applies when a consumer has given you consent to be contacted; with valid consent, outreach is allowed. A third exemption covers calls to consumers with an existing business relationship with your organization, within the applicable time frame for that relationship.

So, when you’re choosing which scenario is allowed, the combination that includes calling business numbers, calling consumers who have consented, and calling consumers with an existing business relationship covers all permitted circumstances. In practice, this means you can reach out to business lines, to those who opted in, and to former or ongoing clients with whom you have an established relationship, while avoiding calls to DNCL-listed personal numbers without consent or a valid existing relationship.