Cellphone numbers go public next month!!
By JenInTN
@JenInTN (27514)
United States
August 4, 2009 4:44am CST
My boss sent me an email informing me that next month cellphine numbers are going public. Telemarketers will have access to your number and be able to call. On top of that..you will be charged for their call! There is a number to call that puts your number on a no call list for five years. You have to call the number from the cellphone you want to put on the do not call list. Do you mind that the telemarketers have access to your cell numbers? Do you think they should become public? Oh..if you want the number...it's 888-382-1222.
6 people like this
34 responses
And oh no! Guess that will be flooded with spam messages....argggh.
Why oh why! Ha.. 
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
6 Aug 09
For the opt out to work you must make the call from the cell phone you want covered.
http://www.ftc.gov/donotcall
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
4 Aug 09
I already have my number on that Do Not Call registry. It'll probably be time to renew that in a couple of years.
If any telemarketer calls me, I'll politely let them know that I'm not interested and I want them to remove my name and number from their records and, if they ever do call again, I'll press charges. That normally does the trick.
But, I'm glad you posted this discussion for those who haven't put their cell phone number on that Do Not Call registry. Telemarketers can be relentless!
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
4 Aug 09
Hi Lori. I hate being rude to anyone and I understand that telemarketers are only trying to make a living but, if I say "no" and they keep up, I tell them that, although I don't like to be rude, they are being rude and have forced me to be rude by hanging up on them, then I just hang up on them after telling them that they are never to call my number again.
These days, I just don't answer the phone if i don't know the number. If they leave a message, I'll listen to it right away to make sure it's not something urgent but it's usually just someone trying to take my money from me. If I want to buy something, I'll go after it. I don't appreciate people approaching me to try to sell me something that I don't need or want. Even if I did need or want it, I refuse to buy anything from someone who calls me (or sends emails). You just never know these days... they could be scammers just trying to get your credit or debit card information.
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
4 Aug 09
I hate to be rude either but I do get irritated when it's the same number calling over and over. Or when you pick up the phone and a foghorn blows in your ear and there's the recording.."this is you captain". I do hope this discussion helps people get their numbers on the do not call list. Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
5 Aug 09
Thank you for that very important piece of information and the do not call number.
2 people like this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
6 Aug 09
It is most definitely legit. I checked it out:
National Do Not Call Registry
The National Do Not Call Registry is open for business, putting consumers in charge of the telemarketing calls they get at home. The Federal government created the national registry to make it easier and more efficient for you to stop getting telemarketing calls you don’t want. You can register online at WWW.DONOTCALL.GOV or call toll-free, 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236), from the number you wish to register. Registration is free.
http://www.ftc.gov/donotcall
1 person likes this
@bjcyrix (6901)
• Philippines
5 Aug 09
Woah really? Arent those kinds of things opt-in only or they really just randomize their 'victims'..? In reading the other responses, I just learned that this kind of marketing strategy is already happening in other countries. I thought it was only in the US, and they're opt-in only.
Dont you think those kinds of marketing practices are a bit snoopy.? I mean cellphone number as well as landlines are very personal. So the owner of that number should have the power to say yes to such marketing options.
I dont think we have those here. Cause the telemarketers themselves are just going to make lots of effort for nothing. Even if this country is considered as the texting capital of the world, there is a reason for that. Most of us cant afford the regular call credits so we avail of text promos. If that kind of strategy will be implemented here, those telemarketing companies are gonna take a huge hit in expenses rather than profits.
Dont you think those kinds of marketing practices are a bit snoopy.? I mean cellphone number as well as landlines are very personal. So the owner of that number should have the power to say yes to such marketing options.
I dont think we have those here. Cause the telemarketers themselves are just going to make lots of effort for nothing. Even if this country is considered as the texting capital of the world, there is a reason for that. Most of us cant afford the regular call credits so we avail of text promos. If that kind of strategy will be implemented here, those telemarketing companies are gonna take a huge hit in expenses rather than profits.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
6 Aug 09
Yes..we have determined there is an opt in for 411 that has caused the issue to be possible. That 411 is what puts you at risk for your number to become public. I am somewhat relieved too. I think at least that way you have a choice. Texting here can be quite expensive if you don't have an unlimited package. I know it has become very popular. Thanks for responding.
2 people like this
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
4 Aug 09
I don't think cell phone numbers should be public information. That's why a lot of people get cell phones. They want to cut the numbers of calls down! As usual our government is doing things for big business. That's why the numbers are becoming available to telemarketers.
2 people like this
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
4 Aug 09
At this moment, I have no reason to care one way or the other. It would be hard to get a pay as you go number since they are temp. phones. I would guess that it was an exaggeration because I haven't heard any news reports yet. Of course, that doesn't exactly make a difference either. LOL
1 person likes this
@anniefannie (1737)
• United States
5 Aug 09
i heard it went in effect some time ago i have already called that number maybe it goes in effect different times for different places.i can't do much in my flowers i am afraid i will get sick again so they just are on their own and not looking to good either.lol you take care Jenn.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
6 Aug 09
That's to bad. They'll be ok though until you get back to them. I'm not sure about the time thing or if maybe my boss was a little late at sending the email. There are a couple of responders that say this email thing is a hoax. Anyway..you take care and thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@anniefannie (1737)
• United States
6 Aug 09
i have heard them talking about this on the news a few times so i don't think it is a hoax
@sophie_dfuss (2365)
• Philippines
5 Aug 09
Thats totally insane! 
I am happy that its not yet like that in my country. I also hate telemarketers that are trying to promote some goods or services, they will be trying to convince you but actually they are trying to rip off money from your pockets. Cellphone numbers shouldn't be public as this should be considered as a personal detail of a person and only the person itself can give out his/her cellphone number.
I am happy that its not yet like that in my country. I also hate telemarketers that are trying to promote some goods or services, they will be trying to convince you but actually they are trying to rip off money from your pockets. Cellphone numbers shouldn't be public as this should be considered as a personal detail of a person and only the person itself can give out his/her cellphone number. 2 people like this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
5 Aug 09
Hi sophie_dfuss. I think that people actually do enjoy that most from their cell. It seems that more and more people are using a cell versus a landline for their main means of communication. Guess the telemarketers are losing money. I agree with you. Just don't opt in to the 411 system and you should be ok. Thanks for responding.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
4 Aug 09
It appears that this is a false email. Here's a link that I found that explains about the email, undoubtedly it's been circulating since September of 2004
http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/business/a/cell_directory.htm
NOT A REFERRAL LINK!
2 people like this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
6 Aug 09
From time to time we will get a phone call from debt consolidation or something like that, also sometimes one in spanish - this is on our cellphone. Not sure why, but I guess even so sometimes people get those number.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
4 Aug 09
What a crock. I do mind very much. I called that # awhile back. Hope it works. thanks jen. Anniefannie came yesterday & ate lunch w/me. wish u had been here w/us.
I wish I had been there too. I hope the number worked for you too.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
5 Aug 09
We don’t have public listing of cell phones as yet in Australia but we do have a registry that your phone number can be registered on if you do not want to hear from telemarketers and the like at dinner time! We listed our numbers and the annoying calls are almost non existent and whenever we receive one we are within our rights to inform the caller that they will be reported for phoning a number listed on the registry.
We have the option here whether to list our cell number in the telephone book or not and, in my opinion that is how it should be. I personally do not want my cell phone number to be accessed publicly. I don’t want to be bothered everywhere I go!
2 people like this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
6 Aug 09
Hi paula! I wouldn't want to be harrassed eveywhere either. It's bad enough to have to get them at home. I need to call the do not call list for my landline. I think we should have the choice as to whether our numbers are listed or not. I think opting in to 411 causes the issues with telelmarketers. Take care and thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
@mobhomeir (7558)
• Philippines
5 Aug 09
Oh no! I don't want that way...no way..How would that be possible?...
2 people like this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
5 Aug 09
That is obnoxious! It's bad enough that you have to get them at home if you got a landline. I think alot of people just use cells to get away from that telemarketer stuff...plus just giving the number to people you want to have it is a plus too. Thanks for the input.
@foreigntradecareer (166)
• China
5 Aug 09
Wow, that sounds intreesting, yet in our place, we haven't set up that kind of systerm. And that's really a fresh one, so I hope that could come into our location someday.
2 people like this
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
4 Aug 09
I don't have a cellphone b/c I can't stand them but I still don't think it's a good idea to just give out ppl's addresses without bothering to ask them. It's their personal information and I think ppl should have a say in whether or not they want to have it given out to anyone.
[b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~
**STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b]
2 people like this
@Hvaniday1 (550)
• Malaysia
4 Aug 09
A very good system huh...I think it is good to call someone with permission.
2 people like this
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
5 Aug 09
Thanks for the info but I put my number on the do not call list two years ago. I have 3 more years to go. By that time I probably won't have this phone or the same phone number.
@incredibleDNA (1742)
• Philippines
4 Aug 09
Oh my gosh, haha Do you know that even prepaid subscriber will be listed? That's invasion of privacy though.
2 people like this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
5 Aug 09
I'm not sure about a prepaid subscriber. It is people that have "opted in" on the 411 service that cellphone companies have decided to use..kinda like a phonebook for cell numbers,that have to worry the most. It is an invasion of privacy but those telemarketers have been using landlines for years. Thanks for responding.
