Hochul signs legislation to crack down on telemarketers

Legislation A4456/S4617 nearly doubles maximum fine for telemarketers who violate Do Not Call Registry

√ Increased penalty will help safeguard New Yorkers from continuous, unwanted calls

Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed legislation (A4456/S4617) to “crack down on telemarketers and safeguard New Yorkers from continuous, unwanted calls,” her team said. “This legislation will help curb calls by nearly doubling the fine for telemarketers violating the Do Not Call Registry.”

Hochul said, “Every day, hard-working New Yorkers are forced to field call after call from relentless telemarketers. Today, we’re raising the penalty for violators of the Do Not Call Registry to deter telemarketers, protect New Yorkers, and send a clear message that New York won’t tolerate these frustrating, unsolicited calls.”

Legislation A4456/S4617 amends the general business law to raise the maximum fine for violators of the Do Not Call Registry from the current $11,000 penalty set in 2004 to $20,000.

Hochul’s team said, “By raising the fine, this legislation will deter telemarketers and safeguard New Yorkers from incessant calls. This builds on legislation Gov. Hochul signed into law in December 2022 to require telemarketers to give customers the option to be added to the company's do-not-call list at the outset of certain telemarketing calls.”