Changes to New Jersey’s telemarketing restrictions become effective December 1, 2023 thanks to New Jersey recently making some changes to N.J. Stat § 56:8-128, titled “Requirements relative to telemarketing sales calls.” If you work in the telemarketing industry, you’ll want to make sure you are aware of these changes.
Changes Include:
Within the first 30 seconds of a call, a caller must now also identify the telephone number of the entity on whose behalf they are calling. Previously, in the first 30 seconds of a call, the caller only had to identify their name, the name of the entity they were calling on behalf of, and the purpose of the call. The caller must still identify those three pieces of information within the first 30 seconds of a call.
Under the amendment, the failure to accurately disclose any of the foregoing information within the first 30 seconds of the call now constitutes a disorderly persons offense. A defendant charged with such offense faces up to 6 months in jail and up to a $1,000 fine.
Telemarketers must now disclose their mailing address and the mailing address of any company on whose behalf they are telemarketing. Specifically, telemarketers must disclose that information on:
– Any website they own or operate; and
– Any subsequent written communication to a customer.
The requirements of N.J. Stat. § 56:8-128 now do not apply to a telemarketer making residential marketing calls in response to:
– A customer’s phone call; or
– A customer’s contact with the telemarketer’s website,
if the customer, during such call or contact, specifically requests a follow-up telemarketing sales call or other contact from the telemarketer.
Recent Changes in Other States:
For more information or for a consultation, contact us using the form below or call 703-485-3535 for Tysons Corner, VA or 804-441-8440 for Richmond, VA.