New regs outlaw some robocalls

New rules to be implemented by the federal government could result in less dinner-time indigestion for millions of Americans frequently disrupted by automated phone calls offering time shares, extended product warranties or any manner of other products.

The Federal Trade Commission said Thursday that beginning next month, such calls will no longer be lawful unless the telemarketer has received written permission from consumers who express interest in receiving such offers by phone. The provision is known as the Telemarketing Sales Rule, or TSR. Current rules block such calls only if the consumer adds a home or cell phone number to the federal Do Not Call registry.