Save the Date! The Executive Moms Fall Luncheon In New York, September 27, 2005. Moderated by CNN’s Soledad O’Brien. Invitation to come in two weeks!  

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 Has anyone forwarded you an email recently warning you to hurry up and de-list your cell phone number before the telemarketers start pouncing on it? (One particularly frightening sub-threat was that you’d then incur charges for those calls). After we received a couple, we decided to investigate…
   
Here’s the Quick Truth About Telemarketers and Your Cellphone (compliments of the FTC):

  • NO, your cell phone is not about to be assaulted; telemarketing to cell phone numbers has always been illegal in most cases and will continue to be so.  
  • FCC regulations specifically prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers, which is the standard approach most telemarketers use.
  • There is NO new national cellphone database.
That said, you can still choose to register your cell number with the National Do Not Call Registry.

This is the same Registry that consumers have been using to register their land lines; personal cell phone users have always been able to register their numbers this way, too.
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.

If you want to register any of your personal phone numbers (land or cell), it’s still easy to do either online at www.donotcall.gov or by calling toll-free 1-888-382-1222 from the telephone number you wish to register. Note: business-to- business calls are not covered by this Registry.
 
Perhaps at the heart of the myth-making: a 411 Directory for cellphones IS in the works.

Many of the major wireless phone providers (except Verizon) are saying they intend to establish a 411 directory of customers’ cell phone numbers beginning in 2006. However, they also maintain that it will not be “published” for any and all to read. Rather, like regular directory assistance now, cell numbers (of those providers) would be made available, only via telephone, to users who dial directory assistance and pay a fee, and only with customer consent.

Thus… it seems your cell phone is safe for now. Should you want to learn more:

Visit ftc.gov/opa/2005/04/dnc.htm
 
  
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