Will the Telemarketers Descend On Our Cell Phones Tomorrow?

If you are like millions of other email users across the US, (including me), you more than likely have received some version of the following email at least once:

"Cell phone numbers going 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.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. HELP OTHERS BY  PASSING THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS. It only takes about 20 seconds."

So, should we ****SPAM**** all our friends with a chain version of this "threat" to our freedom? No. Resist the urge!  I know you can you do it.

Should we all run out and register our cell phones for fear of an army of Telemarketers salivating at the chance to sell us a time share in Orlando while using our precious "anytime" or "rollover" minutes? No. There is no need.

This is another example of "viral fright", where mass email propagation of health scare, financial scare, information theft or security concerns without validation result in hysteria and confusion. The same email, in different versions has been making the rounds for more than 3 years, ever since a national 411 directory for cell phone companies to support cellular directory assistance calls was first envisioned by the major cellular providers.

The following summary by the FTC, provides clear guidance:

For Release: April 15, 2005

The Truth about Cell Phones and the National Do Not Call Registry

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.

One 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 sale 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..."

Another version claims:

"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."

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.


• Business-to-business calls are not covered under the Registry.

For More Information

To learn more about the National Do Not Call Registry and the rules that enforce it, visit the FTC at www.ftc.gov or the FCC at www.fcc.gov. For more information about a planned "wireless 411" directory, visit http://www.qsent.com/wireless411/index.shtml.

So, if this wireless 411 directory is created, who will manage the information, and how will I know it won't be sold to telemarketers?

Qsent was the organization tapped by the wireless providers to create a national wireless 411 service. They have since been acquired by TransUnion, who monitors credit ratings and identity security. The Qsent Q&A advisory on the wireless 411 service is attached below:

http://web.archive.org/web/20070221132732/www.qsent.com/assets/files/wireless411/wireless411_q-a.pdf

Qsent has also published the attached "Choice, Privacy & Security" briefing outlining the four guiding choice and privacy principles to the wireless 411 service, namely:

The right to choose, the right to change one's mind, the right to security, and the right to exercise these fundamental choices at no charge.

The complete briefing document is attached below:

http://web.archive.org/web/20070221132301/www.qsent.com/assets/files/wireless411/choice-privacy-security.pdf

So use your cell phones without fear, but please use caution and operate hands-free when driving!