Media Center - Florida Realtors®

Contact:

Jeff Zipper, Vice President of Communications
407/438-1400, ext. 2314
JeffZ@far.org

Marla Martin, Communications Manager
407/438-1400, ext. 2326
MarlaM@far.org

Florida Association of Realtors® Offers a Web-based Do-Not-Call Compliance Protection Tool as New Member Benefit

ORLANDO, Fla., June 2005 -- The Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR), in cooperation with PossibleNOW, a source for comprehensive Internet-based do-not-call protection solutions, is offering DNCQuickcheck™, a new -- and free -- member benefit tool that makes it easy to comply with federal and state do-not-call laws. DNCQuickcheck is a Web-based solution that checks a phone number against the federal and all individual states' do-not-call lists.

Designed to meet the needs of real estate professionals, the service provides a complete set of tools to ensure compliance with all aspects of the federal and state do-not-call laws. Realtors® can quickly and easily identify consumers who don’t want to be contacted. Verifying phone numbers prior to placing calls saves time, boosts marketing efforts, and helps ensure compliance.

“Phone prospecting plays an important role in many real estate marketing campaigns,” says Scott Frey, CEO of PossibleNOW. “However, real estate professionals must follow state and federal do-not-call laws or risk costly fines. Prior to calling any expired listings, referrals, or FSBOs, Realtors can immediately verify the status of the phone number with DNCQuickcheck.

“Do-not-call compliance goes well beyond simply checking phone numbers,” Frey says. “Real estate professionals must ensure complete compliance including handling requests from consumers to be placed on the company’s do-not-call list. They must also create documentation that can be audited to assist with an affirmative defense against any unwarranted claims. That’s exactly what DNCQuickcheck offers.”

“We're pleased to offer access to DNCQuickcheck as one of our member benefits,” says FAR President Frank Kowalski. “Since DNCQuickcheck provides the best protection when used by brokers for their entire office, FAR encourages broker participation. However, this valuable member service also is available to individual associates. The DNCQuickcheck service provides recordkeeping tools, research tools and an audit trail, if needed, to help FAR members avoid liability if a person claims their number is listed on a federal or state do-not-call list.”

A link on Planet Realtor's (www.planetrealtor.com) home page (password required) connects to an informational page. From there, members can hyperlink to the DNCQuickcheck Web site, or access a list of frequently asked questions, which provide information on the do-not-call laws and details on how DNCQuickcheck helps them comply with the law.

Florida Realtors with legal questions about do-not-call compliance should call the FAR Legal Hotline (407-438-1409). For questions about access or use of DNCQuickcheck, they may call an analyst with FAR's Tech Helpline (407-587-1450). For more information on the FTC's process for obtaining a SAN or other information, members should go to the DNCQuickcheck link on the home page of Planet Realtor (http://www.planetrealtor.com), call 800-585-4888 or e-mail sales@possiblenow.com.

The Florida Association of Realtors, the voice for real estate in Florida, provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation for its more than 125,000 members in 70 local boards/associations.

PossibleNOW, headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, is a source for Internet-based Do Not Call protection solutions. Their DNCSolution™ suite of online services provides comprehensive tools that help direct marketers handle federal and state do-not-call compliance matters. DNCSolution is used by companies in real estate, insurance, financial services, call centers, and other industries involved in direct marketing to consumers. For more information about PossibleNOW and its Do Not Call compliance services, call 770-255-1020 or visit www.dncsolution.com or www.dncquickcheck.com.