There were a bunch of responses to the posting about registering your cell phone. I was out of town with limited internet access, so I did not get to sending these out in a timely fashion. I did not want to send out a bunch of messages that said the same thing, so here is one with all the comments. Bob *************************** While it's not a BAD idea to register your cell number with DO NOT CALL Registry, it's not really necessary. According to the FTC, there is no danger of telemarketers assaulting your phone. It's an understandable hoax email that has been going around for several years. From the federal trade commission's website: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2005/04/dnc.shtm "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." ******************** You can register your cell number, but the message that says cell phone numbers are going public is false - an urban legend. FCC prohibits using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers already, so you're not really accomplishing anything - but it might make you feel good. ******************************** it's a hoax. http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/patterson/33202/this-just-in-cell-phone-numbers-... ****************************** I looked at Snopes.com for cell phone numbers going public and it seems as if it's an urban myth. Here's the link: http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/cell411.asp That said, the Do Not Call number given in the previous email is accurate and has helped me significantly cut down on telemarketing calls on my home number. You can use it for your cell as well, but according to Snopes cell phone use for telemarketing is much more limited. Not to say I haven't gotten the occasional unsolicited solicitous call on my cell but it has been rare... *********************************** Urban Legends - from About.com; confirmed at snopes.com (also) SUMMARY: Forwarded email warns that a directory of cell phone numbers will soon be published and urges users to enter their cell phone numbers on the federal 'Do Not Call' registry to prevent unsolicited calls from telemarketers. Description: Email rumor Circulating since: Sep. 2004 Status: Mostly false Email example contributed by Wyonne M., Jan. 9, 2009: ----------------------------------- Subject: Cell Phone Numbers Pass it along... REMEMBER: Cell Phone Numbers Go Public next month. REMINDER.... all 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. 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 takes about 20 seconds. ----------------------------------- Comments: Yes, you can add your cell phone number(s) to the National Do Not Call Registry. But no, you won't suddenly be at the mercy of 10,000 telemarketers if you don't. While it's true that several of the major wireless phone providers announced a plan some years ago to establish a 411 directory of customers' cell phone numbers, it is not true that the plan involved publishing said directory for any and all to read. Participating companies said the numbers would be made available only via telephone, only to users who dialed directory assistance and paid a fee, and only with customer consent. In any case, the point has been moot since 2006, when the plan to create a 411 directory for cell phone numbers was indefinitely postponed. The Federal Trade Commission does allow cell phone users to add their numbers to the National Do Not Call Registry - the same one already in force for landlines - either online or by calling 1-888-382-1222. Doing so probably isn't necessary, mind you -- per FCC regulations, telemarketers are already prohibited from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers -- but millions have already signed up, and so can you. Contrary to what most variants of the email rumor claim, there is no 31-day, 16-day, or 8-day deadline for adding cell phone numbers to the Do Not Call list - indeed, there is no deadline whatsoever. More Info from the Federal Trade Commission =