Despite a recent government crackdown, Americans continue to receive "robocalls," those prerecorded phone messages that always seem to interrupt dinner.

The Federal Trade Commission said it has received about 118,000 complaints about robocalls since a ban on them went into effect Sept. 1.

"Robocalls are not permitted any longer," said Deanya Kueckelhan, director of the FTC's Southwestern Division in Dallas.

But there are exceptions.

Calls are still permitted from: Charities, Phone companies, Banks and Politicians.

"Some calls are in areas of the law that are not regulated by the Federal Trade Commission," Kueckelhan said.

Informational robocalls also remain legal, such as ones from a pharmacy about a prescription being ready.

Telemarketers who make illegal robocalls face the possibility of stiff fines, up to $16,000 per call.

And the FTC said it wants to know about violations.

"We have to hear from consumers. It's very important," said Kueckelhan.

Complaints can be filed on the FTC's Web site at: www.ftc.gov