The state is reminding St. Lawrence County residents that unsolicited telemarketing calls during a state of emergency are illegal.

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection issued a statement recently alerting businesses and consumers about a state law signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

The law, which went into effect immediately, makes it unlawful for any telemarketer doing business in New York to make an unsolicited telemarketing sales call to any person in a county, city, town or village under a declared state of emergency or disaster emergency.

On March 7, 2020, Governor Cuomo declared a state of emergency relating to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

“During our current state of emergency related to the novel coronavirus, New Yorkers do not need to be burdened with intrusive telemarketing calls,” said Secretary of State Rossana Rosado. “An ‘unsolicited telemarketing sales call’ means ‘any telemarketing

sales call other than a call made: in response to an express written or verbal request by the customer; or in connection with an established business relationship, which has not been terminated by either party, unless such customer has stated to the telemarketer that such customer no longer wishes to receive the telemarketing sales calls of such telemarketer.”

Businesses engaged in telemarketing activity in New York State should consult with their attorneys prior to engaging in unsolicited telemarketing sales calls in this state while the state of emergency remains in effect, the Division of Consumer Protection. Violating the new law can result in the imposition of thousands of dollars in civil penalties, the division said in a press release.

Any St. Lawrence County consumer who has received an unsolicited telemarketing sales call during this declared state of emergency, is encouraged to report it at www.donotcall.gov or by calling 888-382-1222. When reporting, be prepared to provide details about the call.