National Do Not Call Registry Update

Dear OOTJ folks,

I received an e-mail from an old friend alerting a long list of people that cell phones were about to be assaulted with telemarketer calls, but that you could register with the Do Not Call Registry. The e-mail ended with a recommendation that you send it along to all the people you know, which does make me wonder when I see such things. Well, I took a look at the website, and find that, while you can register cell phones, regulations already prohibit telemarketers from using auto-dialers on cell phones. That pretty much means you won't be getting calls on cell phone from telemarketers. Here are the details. From the FAQs on the National Do Not Call Registry Website (https://www.donotcall.gov/)

10. Can I register my cell phone on the National Do Not Call Registry?

Yes, you may place your personal cell phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. The registry has accepted cell phone numbers since it opened for registrations in June 2003. There is no deadline to register a home or cell phone number on the Registry.

You may have received an email telling you that your cell phone is about to be assaulted by telemarketing calls as a result of a new cell phone number database; however, that is not the case. FCC regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers. Automated dialers are standard in the industry, so most telemarketers don’t call consumers on their cell phones without their consent.

AND on the front page, they have a notice that phone numbers will no longer expire from the list. Once registered, they stay registered until the phone owner removes them. The website states:

Your registration will not expire. Telephone numbers placed on the National Do Not Call Registry will remain on it permanently due to the Do-Not-Call Improvement Act of 2007, which became law in February 2008. Read more about it at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/04/dncfyi.shtm .

So, if you get an e-mail warning that you're about to be inundated by telemarketers on your cell phone, don't panic. You can register, but it probably isn't necessary.