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.