Question from Daphne W.: Hi Rick. I have a quick question if you don’t mind.
Every now and then I see a post on Facebook stating that cell phone numbers are going to be released to telemarketers soon and that we should all add our cell numbers to the “Do Not Call” list.
Someone else usually comments back that it’s a hoax and that adding a cell number to the list will get you in trouble with the government. What’s the real deal here? Thanks!
Rick’s answer: Daphne, there is absolutely no truth whatsoever to the frequent posts about cell numbers being released to telemarketers. This hoax has been making the rounds on Facebook for years so “soon” should have been here a long, long time ago. Don’t worry, it isn’t going to happen!
The responses about the original post being a hoax are accurate, but the part about getting into trouble with the Feds if you add your cell phone number to the “Do Not Call Registry” is completely incorrect. You are perfectly free to add your cell number to the list at any time without having to worry about federal agents showing up at your door at 3am.
My recommendation is to add ALL of your phone numbers (both land lines and cell phones) to the list. That way if you receive a call on your cell phone from a telemarketer you’ll know instantly that you’re talking to a scammer. Legitimate telemarketing companies tend to steer clear of numbers on the “Do Not Call” list because the penalties for ignoring it are quite severe.
You can quickly and easily add a number to the “Do Not Call Registry” in one of two ways:
1 – Visit www.donotcall.gov and click the Register Now button.
2 – Call 888-382-1222 and follow the instructions given.
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Image credit: Dave Di Biase