Have any of you ever received the following email (or one similar) from a friend?
Just a reminder that all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies tomorrow and you will start to receive sales calls. You will be charged for these calls.
To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222. It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number.
Make sure to listen to the entire message after you have entered your number until the voice tells you that it is removed. I just did it and it was easy. You can also do this on-line at http://www.donotcall.gov/.
However, this is something you do not have to worry about. From the FTC website (emphasis added):
If you’ve received an e-mail telling you that your cell phone is about to be assaulted by telemarketing calls as a result of a new cell phone number database, rest assured that this is not the case. Telemarketing to cell phone numbers has always been illegal in most cases and will continue to be so. In response to recent e-mail campaigns urging consumers to place their cell phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry, the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission issue this advisory to give consumers the facts.
....
Here’s what you need to know about the National Do Not Call Registry program:
- FCC regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers. Automated dialers are standard in the industry, so most telemarketers are barred from calling consumers on their cell phones without their consent.
- The federal government does not maintain a national cell phone registry. Personal cell phone users have always been able to add their numbers to the National Do Not Call Registry — the same Registry consumers use to register their land lines — either online at www.donotcall.gov or by calling toll-free 1-888-382-1222 from the telephone number they wish to register. Registrations become effective within 31 days of signing up and are active for five years. There is no cut-off date or deadline for registrations.
Yeah, it would be scary if telemarketers were allowed to call our cell phones. Fortunately the government has prevented that problem from ever occurring. And don't worry if you've been one who has rushed off to register your cell phone number with the Do Not Call Registry. You're in good company. I registered my cell phone number when I first moved out to Oregon, and then I did it again today. 