Tulsa World, Okla., Action Line Column: 'Do Not Call' Unneeded for Cell Phones
Posted on: Monday, 27 February 2006, 15:00 CST
By Action Line, Tulsa World, Okla.
Feb. 27--Dear Action Line: We have been receiving messages to remind us to register our cell phone numbers on the "do not call list." Is this necessary, or is this another hoax? -- G.B.S., Tulsa.
Hoax e-mails: It's not necessary. The e-mail about a new "wireless phone number directory for telemarketers" is a hoax. These e-mails first appeared late in 2004 and recently re-emerged, claiming telemarketers will soon have access to our wireless phone numbers if we don't enroll in the federal National Do Not Call Registry.
The Federal Trade Commission says if you've received e-mails saying your cell phone is about to be assaulted by telemarketing calls thanks to a new cell phone number database, "rest assured that this is not the case." Placing telemarketing calls to cell phone numbers is against federal law and in most cases will remain so.
E-mail No. 1: The Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission issued an advisory: "An e-mail making the rounds says: 'Just a reminder . . . In a few weeks, cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies 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. Pass this on to all your friends.' The number is correct, but the warnings are not."
E-mail No. 2: "'The Federal Trade Commission has set up a "do not call" list. It is called a cell phone registry. To be included on the "do not call" list, you must call from the number you wish to register.' The federal government maintains no cell phone registry."
The truth: The "National Do Not Call Registry" program has always been available to cell phone users -- the same registry consumers use to register their landline phone numbers. This can be done online at cf,fgc www.donotcall.gov cf,ceno or by calling (888) 382-1222 from the number they wish to register. Registrations are effective within 31 days of signing up and remain active for five years. There is no deadline for registration. Business-to-business calls are not covered under the program. Registry information and its rules, enforced by the FTC, are online at www.ftc.gov/donotcall/
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Copyright (c) 2006, Tulsa World, Okla.
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Source: Tulsa World
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