Register your cell phone

[Lindaloo]

If you have not registered your cell phone on the "do not call' list, this is a perfect opportunity to do so before our numbers are published.

A directory of cell phone numbers will soon be published for all
consumers to have access to. This will open the doors for solicitors to call you on your cell phones, using up precious minutes that we pay lots of money for.

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. The number is 1-888-382-1222 OR you can go to their web site at http://www.donotcall.gov and add your number to the do not call list. Give this to friends who have cell phones.

[Skywatch_NC]

Thank you very much, Linda! I just registered my Dad's cell there at that link!

Eric

[weatherlover427]

I just added my home number to the list. It kind of slipped my mind to do it after I moved in here.

[chadtm80]

Jenn and I did this last week.. I am TICKED we would even have to do this.. Cell phones should NOT be published.. Period

[vbhoutex]

Agree Chad!!! I am going to sticky this so no one misses it that might want to use it.

[Dee Bee]

Thanks so much! I had forgotten about adding our cell phones to the list.

[Lindaloo]

Thanks David!

I agree Chad. I do not know why they have to publish cell phone numbers. This is going to be a nightmare.

[The Big Dog]

Ok, just checked this on Snopes, which is usually pretty good at investigating claims. http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/cell411.asp

There is some truth to it, but it doesn't seem quite as sinister as the warning would have us believe. First, supposedly it's an opt-in service, so your number shouldn't be included without permission. There will also be no published directory made available to telemarketers.

The wireless companies behind the proposed Wireless 411 service contend that their service will be beneficial to cellular customers and that they have addressed those customers' major concerns:

- The service would save money for the estimated five million customers who use only cellular phones and currently pay to have their cell phone numbers listed in phone directories.

- The Wireless 411 service would be strictly "opt-in" — that is, wireless customers will be included in the directory only if they specifically request to be added. The phone numbers of wireless customers who do nothing will not be included, those who choose to be listed can have their numbers removed from the directory if they change their minds, and there is no charge for requesting to be included or choosing not to be included.

- The Wireless 411 information will not be included in printed phone directories, distributed in other printed form, made available via the Internet, or sold to telemarketers. It will be made available only to operator service centers performing the 411 directory assistance service.

Also, registering doesn't keep you out of the directory.

The latter step <register with Do Not Call list> will not keep wireless customer listings out of the proposed Wireless 411 database — it will only add their phone numbers to a list of numbers off-limits to most telemarketers, a step which is premature (because the Wireless 411 directory has not yet been implemented) and largely unnecessary (because the Wireless 411 directory information is not supposed to be supplied to telemarketers, and because FCC regulations already in place block the bulk of telemarketing calls to cell phones).

Just a little more info on it. Read the article, judge for yourself.

[azskyman]

Thanks...so far my cell phone only gets an occasional wrong number. And since I have to leave it on 24 hours a day, the last thing I need is an overnight sales call!

[bfez1]

Just registered 3 different numbers. Hope it works!
How annoying!

[therock1811]

Registered my cell phone number! Thanks Linda!

[pojo]

I just put my cell number on the list... that's a 5 year ban

[Amanzi]

Thanks Linda!!!!!! I get so mad at those annoying calls, the thought of having to pay out of pocket for someone to annoy me is a horrible thought!

[HurricaneGirl]

I'm probably one of the few people in America that doesn't have a cell phone. However, I am outraged to learn solicitatious phone calls such as this are going to inundate people's private cell phones. It's an total invasion of privacy and it makes me mad!

[MSRobi911]

I personally know three different people here in South Mississippi that have already received calls on their cell phones. Thank goodness I have free incoming, but this is just plain wrong!

One of my friends that uses Cingular told me she called Cingular and they said they would not be releasing any phone numbers or names. I have already registered my family's but I haven't called my carrier, guess I should just to give them my opinion! Everybody's got one, right?

[Sean in New Orleans]

Thanks...registered our cell phones, as well.

[Josephine96]

Sounds like a good idea

[southerngale]

I'm probably one of the few people in America that doesn't have a cell phone. However, I am outraged to learn solicitatious phone calls such as this are going to inundate people's private cell phones. It's an total invasion of privacy and it makes me mad!

You don't look quite so mad with that Santa hat on your head.