Is this true?

[C.Ann]

I overheard a conversation today and the gist of it was that beginning this Sunday - February 5th - telemarketers can obtain your cell phone number from either a cell phone directory or "other" sources and make telemarketing calls to you on that cell phone and you willed be charged for the calls..

Is that true?

 

[bigmerle1966]

Yes I am sure that is true. We had to do a "no call" on all of our work phones or we will be resposible for the charges. This came from the person in accounting who is in charge of the cell phones.

 

[Poohlovr]

According to snopes.com--

Claim: Cell phone users must register their numbers with the national "Do Not Call" directory to prevent their cell phone numbers from being released to telemarketers.

Status: False.
Snopes.com

 

[C.Ann]

But how on earth can that be legal? This isn't like a land line.. Cell phones charge by the minute and you're being forced to pay for a call you did NOT solicit in any way, shape or form..

Does anyone have the "do not call" number for this? And if I heard correctly, they still have 30 days to hound you with calls until they legally have to put the "do not call" into effect..

I have a cell phone that my son-in -law provided for me because he insisted that I "needed it" (which in fact I never use) - but I guess I'll need to make that call to get on the proper list.. What a pain!

Also (and I know this will sound really stupid, but I honestly don't use the phone) - if they leave a message on your cell phone, do the same charges apply - just like it was a call that was answered?

This really ticks me off!!

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

FALSE
Snopes

Here's the truth:

A national directory will be compiled, but numbers will be included on an opt-in basis. If a cell phone subscriber does nothing, the number will not be listed. When the directory is ready, it will be available only as part of the existing 411 directory service, accessed by calling in and asking for a specific number. It will not be published in a book or on the Internet. And it will not be sold to telemarketers.

Cell phone subscribers can list their numbers on the do-not-call registry if they choose, but there is no deadline to get on the list, as the e-mail messages now circulating suggest

 

[C.Ann]

According to snopes.com--

Claim: Cell phone users must register their numbers with the national "Do Not Call" directory to prevent their cell phone numbers from being released to telemarketers.

Status: False.
Snopes.com

--------------------------

Ooooooo - I sure hope that's correct because I can just see my son-in-law going through the roof when he gets a $400 bill for 3 phones!!!

 

[C.Ann]

FALSE
Snopes

---------------------------

What if they acquire it some "other" way? Any recourse?

 

[N.Bailey]

While the snopes site does say false, they do go on to list real concerns.


Cell phone numbers have generally been excluded from printed telephone books and directory assistance services. However, since the use of cell phones has burgeoned in recent years (to the point that many people no longer maintain landline phone service), several national wireless companies (AllTel, AT&T Wireless, Cingular, Nextel, Sprint PCS, and T-Mobile) have banded together and hired Qsent, Inc. to produce a Wireless 411 service. Their goal is to pool their listings to create a comprehensive directory of cell phone customer names and phone numbers that would be made available to directory assistance providers.



Looks like Verizon customers are safe though!!

 

[janette]

From http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2005/04/dnc.htm

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.

 

[Poohlovr]

And continuing on....

The service would save money for the millions of customers who have cellular phones and currently pay to have their cell phone numbers listed in phone directories.

The Wireless 411 service will be strictly "opt-in" — that is, cell phone 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.

Updates: Verizon Wireless and U.S. Cellular Corp. have always declined to participate in the proposed cell phone directory, and initial partners Sprint Corp. and Alltel Corp. have since pulled away from the project due to concerns about bad publicity and possible new government regulations. So, as of January 2005, even if the cell phone directory database were compiled as planned, at least 45% of U.S. cell phone numbers wouldn't be included.