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Telemarketers have a new law to comply with in New Jersey as 2024 gets underway. Known as the "Seinfeld Bill," the law mandates telemarketers to provide their name, mailing address, and the phone number of the company they represent within the first 30 seconds of a phone call.
This legislation draws its name from an episode of the popular television sitcom "Seinfeld". In the episode, the character Jerry Seinfeld receives a call from a telemarketer and responds by asking the caller for personal information, intending to reciprocate the disturbance he experienced.
The enactment of the Seinfeld Bill is seen as a step towards enhancing transparency in telemarketing calls and reducing scams, particularly those targeting seniors. It ensures that consumers have immediate access to basic information about the caller, allowing them to make more informed decisions about whether to continue the call.
Governor Phil Murphy signed the legislation after it unanimously passed the state legislature. This law is part of a broader effort to curb unsolicited calls and protect consumers from potential scams. It also restricts unsolicited calls between 9 P.M. and 8 A.M. Eastern Time and compels telemarketers to adhere more strictly to “no call” lists.