Do not call list enforcement system and method

A method for reducing unwanted telemarketing calls, said method comprising:

• storing a contact list for users of a telephone assigned to an associated telephone number;
• intercepting an incoming telephone call to the telephone number;
• determining whether a telephone number associated with a telephone used to place the incoming telephone call is in the contact list;
• in response to determining that the telephone number associated with the incoming telephone call is in the contact list, connecting the incoming call to the telephone assigned to the called telephone number;
• otherwise, in response to determining that the telephone number associated with the incoming call is not in the contact list:
• prompting a caller with an audible message;
• in response to the caller responding to the audible message by entering a first response, blocking the incoming call from connecting to the called telephone;
• otherwise, in response to the caller responding to the audible message by entering a second response, connecting the incoming call to the telephone assigned to the called telephone number.

A system for reducing unwanted telemarketing calls, said system comprising:

• a storage unit configured to store a data repository;
• an input/output unit configured to communicate over a communications network;
• a processing unit in communication with said storage unit and input/output unit, and configured to:
• store a contact list in the data repository for users of a telephone assigned to an associated telephone number;
• intercept an incoming telephone call to the telephone number;
• determine whether a telephone number associated with a telephone used to place the incoming telephone call is in the contact list;
• in response to determining that the telephone number associated with the incoming telephone call is in the contact list, connect the incoming telephone call to the telephone assigned to the called telephone number;
• otherwise, in response to determining that the telephone number associated with the incoming telephone call is not in the contact list:
• prompt a caller with an audible message;
• in response to the caller responding to the audible message by entering a first response, block the incoming call from connecting to the called telephone;
• otherwise, in response to the caller responding to the audible message by entering a second response, connect the incoming call to the telephone assigned to the called telephone number.