Topeka ? The phone should be ringing less often at the homes of the first group of Kansans to sign up for the state’s no-call list.

As of Friday, telemarketers were supposed to stop calling 397,697 phone numbers that belonged to people who signed up for the list by Sept. 23. The list will be updated every three months.

Mark Ohlemeier, spokesman for the Attorney General’s Office, said the response to the program has been an overwhelming success.

“We knew this was a popular idea from the beginning,” Ohlemeier said. “But what surprised us was how quickly people registered and how many in such a short time.”

Legislators created the no-call list, which is designed to prevent unwanted telephone solicitations, with a law that took effect July 1.

The no-call list is being handled by a private company, GovConnect Inc., headquartered in Denver and New York, under a contract with the Attorney General’s Office.

The list will not eliminate all unsolicited calls. Kansans may still get calls from political and charitable organizations and pollsters, as well as companies with which they have had a relationship within the past three years.

Ohlemeier said people who fill out forms at fairs or other public events also could receive calls.

“If you go down to the mall and they have a drawing and you fill out your name and address to be notified if you won something, be aware that you may be giving companies permission to telemarket you,” Ohlemeier said.

Ohlemeier said people who continue to receive unsolicited calls after registering for the no-call list should collect as much information as possible, including the telemarketers’ name, address and phone number.

“Without that information, it is very difficult or impossible for us to track them down,” he said.

Violations of the Kansas No-Call Act can result in penalties of up to $10,000 each.

Kansans can still register for the list by going to the attorney general’s Web site, www.ink.org/public/ksag, or by calling toll-free, 1-866-362-4160.