FTC Consumer Alert

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The Truth About Cell Phones and the Do Not Call Registry
Despite Viral E-mail, It Is Not Necessary to Register Cell Numbers

Consumers do not need to register cell phone or wireless numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry to be protected from most telemarketing calls to those numbers, despite viral e-mail messages saying otherwise. Consumers may place their cell phone number on the Do Not Call Registry to notify marketers that they don't want to get unsolicited telemarketing calls, but federal regulations already prohibit most telemarketing targeted to cell phones.

The truth about cell phones and the Do Not Call Registry is:

• The government is not releasing cell phone numbers to telemarketers.
• There is no deadline for registering a cell phone number on the Do Not Call Registry.
• Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers. Automated dialers are standard in the industry, so most telemarketers are barred from calling consumers' cell phones without their consent.
• There is only one Do Not Call Registry, operated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), with information available at donotcall.gov. There is no separate registry for cell phones.
• The Do Not Call Registry accepts registrations from both cell phones and land lines. To register by telephone, call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236). You must call from the phone number that you want to register. To register online (donotcall.gov), you will have to respond to a confirmation e-mail.
• If you have registered a mobile or other telephone number already, you don't need to re-register. Once registered, a telephone number stays on the Do Not Call Registry until the registration is canceled or service for the number is discontinued.

The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. Watch a video, How to File a Complaint, at ftc.gov/video to learn more. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.