Cell Phone Numbers - national do not call list

For the past few years, e-mails have been going around urging people to register their cell phone numbers on a national Do Not Call list to prevent telemarketers from getting your cell phone number. The e-mails list a deadline to call before apparently you will be inundated with telemarketer’s calls. There is good news. This is a lie. The truth is, cell phone companies got together and thought it would be a good idea to share their numbers with each other so if you needed to know someone’s number, you could call 411 and no matter which provider you use, you can get that person’s cell phone number. Here’s the fine print those e-mails don’t tell you:

The only way to have your cell phone number listed would be if YOU ask to be included in the list.

It is illegal for telemarketers to call a cell phone number.

Telemarketers would not be able to call 411 to get your number since most telemarketing companies use some form of automatic dialing system and you have to be a “real person” to call 411.

And finally, this list does not exist.

While a great idea, it has not come to fruition. For now, the only way to search for someone’s cell phone number, is to use an online cell phone directory or search engine. Currently, local, state, and federal government is working to protect citizens’ security and privacy while attempting to assist us in time of need. It is a fine line to walk, and I’m eager to see what they come up with in the upcoming years as land-lines continue to fade away and more and more people have cell phone numbers.