Federal Trade Commission raises Do Not Call registry fees

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced an increase in fees for telemarketers accessing the National Do Not Call Registry. The new rates are scheduled to take effect on October 1, marking the start of the US government’s 2027 fiscal year.

Under the revised schedule, telemarketers will pay $85 to access numbers registered under a single telephone area code, an increase of $3 from the fiscal 2026 fee of $82. The maximum annual payment for nationwide access across all area codes will rise to $23,425, up from the current $22,626. Additionally, the fee for accessing an additional area code for six months will increase from $41 to $43.

The National Do Not Call Registry allows consumers to list telephone numbers to avoid most telemarketing calls. Telemarketers are required to download numbers from this registry to identify and avoid restricted lines. While the first five area codes remain free to assist businesses with limited geographic markets, most organizations must renew subscriptions annually. Certain entities, such as specific charities and political callers, remain exempt from these fees.