October 30, 2007
Do not call - are you registered?
I got an email from a cousin today:
This is for real, I just registered mine.
Subject: Cell Phone numbers go public tomorrow
REMINDER….all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing
companies tomorrow and you will start to receive sale calls.
…YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS
My cousin is a pretty intelligent guy, but he’s constantly forwarding emails such as this without verifying the information. It seems to me that it would be less troublesome to go to Snopes or the source quoted in the email forward than to forward it. It took me about a minute to debunk this one. From the FTC website:
October 12, 2007
The Federal Trade Commission today reiterated that despite the claims made in e-mails circulating on the Internet, consumers should not be concerned that their cell phone numbers will be released to telemarketers in the near future, and that it is not necessary to register cell phone numbers on the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry to be protected from most telemarketing calls to cell phones.
Read the entire press release.
So should you register your cell phone? It can’t hurt. I get occasional telemarketing calls on my cell phone, so I decided it was the reasonable thing to do. You can do it online at the National Do Not Call Registy or by calling 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236) from the phone you want to register. I used the phone number to register my cell and office phones today. It took less than two minutes to do each. My fax machine does not have a handset on it, so I registered my fax line through the online site (link above.) That was also quick and easy. I look at it the same way that I see buying term insurance - like an ace in the hole. I remember registering my phone (land line) when Do Not Call became available, but maybe that was before I got new numbers. I regularly get calls from Sun Marketing (as do thousands of others who have complained about them) and occasionally from other telemarketers. Now that I know for sure that all of my phones are registered I’ll be able to file complaints if these nuisance calls continue. It takes thirty-one days for your number to actually enter the system, but after that you’re protected for five years. It’s free, so I can’t think of any reason not to do it.
[tags]do not call, FTC, National Do not Call Registry, telemarketers[/tags]
Posted by skeet @ 10:32 pm • Electronics
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October 31st, 2007 at 1:21 am, Jennifer Says:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/cell411.asp
That said, I registered my cell phone when I first got that email a year or so ago.
October 31st, 2007 at 11:15 am, pussreboots Says:
Yes. All our numbers are registered.
October 31st, 2007 at 4:45 pm, jo Says:
I just registered myself and all my chill’ens! Hey! You all healthy now and ready to review moi? JO
November 1st, 2007 at 9:46 am, J D Says:
Just thought I’d let you know that I like this post. I quoted you and linked to you on a blog I write for: politicalreps.com BTW, I am also looking to promote this blog as it is somewhat new and would appreciate any consideration you would give to linking to politicalreps.com
Thanks,
November 1st, 2007 at 3:50 pm, skeet Says:
Aloha J.D and mahalo for the link! I visited you blog this morning when I first saw the linkback. I couldn’t comment because you only allow those with google identities to comment. I hope you’ll consider changing that option some day. I get a lot of traffic because of my dialog with readers through their comments. (Not trying to tell you how to run your blog - just a gentle suggestion.
)
I don’t do pure politics on this blog but I support numerous causes and need sources to quote and link when legislation is pending that has an impact on subjects I’m interested in supporting - environmental causes, children’s rights and such. I’ll keep your blog in mind as a new resource!
November 2nd, 2007 at 4:08 am, Shaun Dakin Says:
Hi,
Good post. Just wanted to let you know, however, that if politicians get your cell phone number they can “robo call” and telemarket to you with impunity.
Yeap, if you register to vote and put your cell phone number down on the registration card, they will buy the voter reg database from the state and have your number.
There are no laws to prevent them from calling.
We have started an effort to get politicians to stop all phone calls (cell and land line) to voters who don’t want calls.
We are a non-partisan, non-profit org at
http://www.stoppoliticalcalls.org
Regards,
Shaun Dakin
CEO and Founder
November 12th, 2007 at 11:53 am, cell phone man Says:
Not sure if I completely agree with the “it is not necessary to register cell phone numbers”. Telemarketers gain access to cell phone numbers the same way the “Cell Phone Number Phone Book” companies do, they buy the information from data miners. Every time, a cell phone number is used on a loan application it is potentially subject to telemarketers. So, be safe, use the do not call for cell phones too.