Hoax Alert: Cell Phones and the Do-Not-Call Registry

Despite an e-mail warning that continues to circulate on the Internet, it is not necessary to register your personal cell phone number on the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry to be protected from telemarketers!

Inquiries to the Better Business Bureau indicate that many consumers are still confused about this issue. The DNC Registry does accept registrations from cell phones, as well as land lines. So, those who would like to register their cell phone number may certainly do so, for free. However, if you have not yet done so, there is no need to be concerned that your personal cell phone number will be released to telemarketers at any time in the near future.

"This is a hoax that has been circulating on the Internet for some time now," said Bill Moak, President of the Better Business Bureau of Mississippi. "Cell phone users can relax. Their numbers will not be targeted by telemarketers in the near future."

According to the Federal Trade Commission, which operates the National Do Not Call Registry, it is not necessary to register cell phone numbers on the DNC Registry to be protected from most telemarketing calls to cell phones.

The BBB joins with the FTC to correct common misperceptions concerning cell phones and the DNC Registry.

Contrary to the e-mail, cell phone numbers are NOT being released to telemarketers, and you will NOT soon be getting telemarketing calls on your cell phone.

There is NO deadline by which you must register your cell phone number on the Registry.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers. Since such dialers are standard in the industry, most telemarketers are barred from calling consumers on their cell phones without their consent.

The national associations representing telemarketers have stated that their clients do not intend to start calling consumers’ cell phones.

There is only one DNC Registry. There is no separate registry for cell phones. To register your cell phone number or home phone number, you must call from that phone number (the toll-free DNC number is 1.888.382.1222). Or, you may register online at www.donotcall.gov and respond to a confirmation e-mail.

While the telecommunications industry has been discussing the possibility of creating a wireless 411 directory, according to the FCC, even if a wireless 411 directory is established, most telemarketing calls to cell phones would still be illegal, regardless of whether the number is listed on the federal government’s National Do Not Call Registry.

Understanding Your Credit Score

Many consumers and even businesses are confused about credit scoring, but this important number can help determine whether lenders will extend credit to you. It's important to understand not only what is your credit score, but what factors go into it.

Basically, information in your credit report or credit file is used to formulate your credit score. This number can range between 300 and 850, depending on the credit reporting agency.

Each credit reporting agency uses a different scoring model, so your credit score may vary from agency to agency. The most commonly used model is the FICO (Fair, Isaac Credit Organization) score. All scoring models are mostly influenced by the following: how you pay your debts and how much debt you owe. When formulating your score, each agency pays close attention to:

• Your payment history. Do you pay your credit accounts on time? Are there bankruptcies or other negative items on your record?
• How much you owe. What is the total owed on all of your account? What percent of your available credit are you using? Is your debt load manageable?
• The length of your credit history. For how many years have you demonstrated responsible credit management?
• Have you recently applied for or opened new credit accounts?

Most people have a credit score in the 600s and 700s. Scores above 700 are a sign of financial health and can earn you relatively low "prime" interest rates and favorable lending terms. People with scores about 760 are charged the lowest rates.

If your credit score is below 600, lenders will view you as "high risk". They could turn down your credit application. You may have to use a "sub prime" lender who will offer you less favorable payment terms. You will be charged much higher interest rates and will probably have to make a larger down payment.

If you are married, be aware that you and your spouse do not share a credit score. In fact, each spouse has a separate score that reflects his or her own past credit history.

The BBB warns consumers to not be fooled by people who claim to be able to raise your credit scores. Although fixing errors in your credit report can affect your score, the best way to raise your score is to pay your bills on time, try to control credit spending, and monitor your credit report carefully. You can get a free credit report once per year by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com. For more information, visit the Federal Trade Commission website at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre24.htm.