Hang Up

More than 145 million phone numbers are on the Federal Trade Comission’s do-not-call registry.

In California, a state law passed in 2002 prohibits automated phone messages unless they are introduced by a real person who asks permission to play a recording.

Perhaps that message didn’t get to telemarketers and political campaigns, because the “robo-calls” keep coming. And coming. Usually, or so it seems, just in time to interrupt dinner.

“Don’t worry, your accounts are safe ...” one recurrent call begins. Another is from Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, asking you to dial 1 to support the impeachment of President Bush. Before the election in February, voters received robo-calls from the likes of Bill Clinton, comic Chris Rock and actress Scarlett Johansson.

The state Public Utilities Commission says it has received just two complaints in the past two years. But that almost certainly reflects a natural reflex to hang up on annoying taped calls before finding out who is calling — and the hassles of a multi-step complaint process.

Candidates for office are exempt from the federal do-not-call rules but not the state robo-call law, and an advocacy group has launched a campaign to enforce the law. Citizens for Civil Discourse is soliciting complaints to be filed with the state PUC with a goal of shutting down the robo-callers before the November election.

The organization has established a registry for people who don’t want political calls and is seeking pledges from candidates to respect their wishes. You can add your number at www.stoppoliticalcalls.org.