REMEMBER: Cell Phone Numbers Go Public this week

[Neil D]

..

REMINDER.... all cell phone numbers are being released to20 telemarketing companies tomorrow and you will start to receive sale calls.

BAD NEWS.... YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS

To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 1- 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.

[Liz]

Speaking of the "Darwin Awards".........

[Amelia]

This has been floating around since 2004

[Joe_in_RP]

http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/cell411.asp

[GreatLakesGramma]

My husband and I were both getting telemarketing calls on our cell phones. They are from companies that use computerized dialers rather than phone listings. I've registered both numbers with the Do Not Call registry. We don't get them any more.

[Amelia]

I registered mine a long time ago. It didn't stop the polsters during the election.grr

[Neil D]

Sorry folks...My source is a nice guy but somewhat ...um...well, let's just say "behind the times" and I fell for the email he gave...and I forwarded it without researching it...My appologies..

Here is the latest on the cell phones from Goggle news...

Like old soldiers, some Internet hoaxes never die.

Case in point: a recently circulated e-mail that warns wireless carriers this week will give customers' cell phone numbers out to phone solicitors.

In reality, the companies aren't releasing the numbers this week, nor do they plan to in the future. And, according to the Federal Trade Commission, it's illegal in most cases for telemarketers to dial cell phones.

But that hasn't stopped people from circulating the latest version of the hoax e-mail, which has made the rounds in some form since 2004.

“People are generally good-hearted, and so when they see an e-mail that looks helpful, they try to pass it on,” FTC spokesman Mitch Katz said. “The Internet is a powerful tool. It's easy to forward thousands of e-mails very quickly.”

The FTC and the wireless industry have issued numerous news releases refuting the false e-mail alert, and hoax-debunking Web site Snopes.com even lists it among its “Top 15 Legends.”

“REMINDER ... All cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies tomorrow and you will start to receive sale calls,” the recently circulated e-mail says. “BAD NEWS ... YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS.”

The message urges concerned readers to call the FTC to sign up for its national do-not-call registry, a list of phone numbers that are off limits to telemarketers.

Some trace the rumor to a wireless industry effort earlier in the decade to compile a national database of cell numbers. The industry never shared the information with telemarketers, officials said, nor does it plan to.

“Wireless companies take the privacy concerns of their customers seriously,” said Shannon Nix, spokeswoman for industry trade group CTIA — The Wireless Association.

While the e-mails contain incorrect information, they don't appear to be illegal spam, said Jacqueline Lipton, a Case Western Reserve University law professor who studies e-mail fraud. The messages are a nuisance, but they don't actually fish for personal information or try to convince the recipient to pay money for a service.

“They play into people's fear that they've lost control of their personal information and knowledge about their personal lives,” Lipton said. “I think that may be why they keep getting passed around.”

The FTC's Katz said the commission regularly receives media calls on the e-mails, but that the number has dwindled as the agency and the wireless industry have done more outreach to consumers.

“We've been trying to get the word out, but reaching 300 million people across the country isn't easy,” Katz said. “We're doing what we can.”

Consumers wanting to add their land lines or cell phones to the do-not-call registry can visit the Web site www.donotcall.gov or call (888) 382-1222.

[Neil D]

Speaking of the "Darwin Awards".........

Hey you.....

I erred on the side of being safe.....I didn't kill nor was I killed....So there...[muttering as I move to the kitchen for an emotional cookie, "some people's kids"]

[GreatLakesGramma]

Honestly, who of us has never passed along something that sounded legitimate without checking it out, only to find it was a hoax? Welcome to the human race! We could do a LOT worse!

[LifeHiscost]

HELP OTHERS BY PASSING THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS.. It takes about 20 seconds.

Thanks, Neil.

[LifeHiscost]

Originally Posted By: Neil D

HELP OTHERS BY PASSING THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS.. It takes about 20 seconds.

Thanks, Neil.

Oops! I had this little discourse with Redwood about discernment and being wise as serpents. Guess I need to ask for both gifts.