KHQA recently got an e-mail saying if you didn't register your cell phone number with the national do not call list by the end of the month, you would start getting telemarketing calls on your cell phone.
The information in this e-mail is false.
It's currently illegal for telemarketers to contact you on your cell phone.
While looking into this information, we found out some things you should know about the do not call list.
Your cell phone is an important part of your daily life. Chances are you don't want to waste time answering calls from telemarketers. Luckily, you don't have to.
"I've seen several emails like that over the past six or 7 years. It's always in February of the next year," says Kyle Neisen of Cell Tech Electronics.
According to www.snopes.com, this e-mail surfaces in January and June on most years dating back to 2004. The e-mail is believed to have originated out of some misunderstandings about a wireless directory assistance service. Several years ago, many major wireless carriers banded together to make a wireless 411 directory service available. You can only be listed as part of the directory if you choose to be. Somewhere along the line, someone said collecting all of these numbers is the equivalent of giving cell phone numbers to telemarketers, and thus the rumor was born.
"I would just disregard the e-mail. You can still register on the do not call list website and with that phone number," says Neisen.
The phone number that is listed on the e-mail is the actual phone number for the do not call list. Nothing says this e-mail is a scam and some way to get your personal information, it's just a warning for something that's isn't even true. There is no harm in registering your cell phone number with the do not call list. If it makes you feel more comfortable, then by all means do it. Just know you don't have to do it.
It's important to note, you should re-register your phone number with the do not call list every five years.
To register, or verify your phone numbers are registered, call 1-888-382-1222, or click the following link: www.donotcall.gov
If you're one of the many who have ditched the landline phone for just a cell phone, here's something to keep in mind.
If you port your landline phone number to a cell phone, telemarketers can call that because it was originally used as a land line.
If that's the case, you definitely want to register it with the national do not call list.
For more information from www.snopes.com, here's a link to the actual article: http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/cell411.asp
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKHQA