WESTFIELD – Every January and June, a rumor circulates that cell phone numbers will be made public to telemarketers. According to Snopes.com, an Internet rumor buster, this rumor is false. Cell phone users do not have a deadline to register their phone number with the National Do Not Call registry – it can be done at any time.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), despite emails circulating on the Internet, consumers should not be concerned that their cell phone numbers will be released to telemarketers at any time in the near future. In addition, according to the agency, it is not necessary to register cell phone number on the DNC Registry to be protected from most telemarketing calls to cell phones.
The DNC Registry accepts registrations from both cell phones and land lines. You must call from the phone number that you want to register. If you register online, you must respond to a confirmation e-mail.
Add your phone number for free by visiting donotcall.gov, or calling 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register (TTY: 1-866-290-4236).
If you register online, you will receive a confirmation email from donotcall.gov. You must click on the link in the email within 72 hours to complete your registration.
The FTC has also reported on its website that scammers have been making phone calls claiming to represent the National Do Not Call Registry. The calls claim to provide an opportunity to sign up for the Registry. These calls are not coming from the Registry or the Federal Trade Commission, and you should not respond to these calls.
