Those annoying pre-recorded telephone sales calls. They tie-up you line and fill-up your answering machine. The Federal Trade Commission has made it easier for you to make them go away.

Right now, a company can call you if you an existing business relationship with them, even if you are on the do not call list.

As of December, all pre-recorded calls must give you a way to opt-out so you won't get future calls from that company.

"It could be something that you press on the keypad or something that you speak that triggers that."

Susan Grant with the Consumer Federation of America says the rules get tougher in September of 2009. Telemarketers will be required to get your permission in writing to use prerecorded messages.

"Even if you have an existing business relationship with the companies, it won't be able to make these robo calls to you unless you've expressly agreed to receive those kinds of calls."

Remember, calls that are not trying to sell you something are exempt from the do not call list and exempt from the new restrictions on pre-recorded messages. This includes political calls.

For More Information:

FTC to restrict precorded sales messages

FTC News Release

Consumer Federation of America Applauds Limits on Prerecorded Sales Calls