WP: Bogus E-Mail (about telemarketers) Worries Users Of Cell Phones

[DeepModem Mom]

Bogus E-Mail Worries Users Of Cell Phones

By Caroline E. Mayer
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, December 10, 2004; Page E01


The e-mails, often forwarded by friends, vary in wording, but the underlying message is always ominous: Soon, all cell phone numbers will be made public to telemarketing firms. That means, according to one version, that "your cell phone may start ringing off the hook with telemarketers" and your precious, limited cell phone minutes will be eaten up with calls you don't want.

It's not clear where the e-mails originated, but industry and government officials say they are an urban myth; they are not true. There is no list of cell phone numbers being turned over to telemarketers, and telemarketers are barred from calling cell phone numbers.

Even so, in the past two weeks, more than 3 million numbers have been added to the government's national do-not-call list, and government officials suspect that the unexpected increase is due to the e-mails that are being passed around like a national game of telephone tag....


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53668-2004Dec9.html

[Aunt Anti-bush]

1. The lists DO have cell-phone numbers on them!

I am a telemarketer and unfortunately, we are getting people's cell phone numbers on our lists. I don't have a cell phone, but I signed the petitions that went around about this because I don't think it is fair for them to give us those numbers and to use up people's cell phone minutes. Luckily, I call all local numbers for a remodeling company and I can recognize most numbers that aren't just regular local numbers. I don't call them if I think they may be a cell number.

[DeepModem Mom]

2. Whoa! Maybe you should contact: [e-mail] --

sounds like this story needs a correction.

[Aunt Anti-bush]

3. I'm way ahead of you.

I sent an e-mail to them right after I read your posting. I also noted that they should cover the fact that the do not call registries are not working. We constantly get people on the lists that aren't supposed to be there and we've switched around to various list providers but still get the same results.

[DeepModem Mom]

4. Excellent -- thank you!

[davhill]

5. Many cell numbers get on lists innocently

People fill out applications and give out the cell number as home or work number.

[Aunt Anti-bush]

6. You're right, but think about this:

If I can pick out the ones that are cell numbers by comparing the 3 digit exchange, so can our list providers.

[SteveG]

7. When we signed up for opting out

we included our cell phone numbers on the list, just in case cell phone numbers would be put in directories.

[Piperay]

8. I got

an animated telemarketing call on my cell phone...was I MAD! :mad: :grr: :nuke: