Although well intentioned, this is at least the 4th version of a chain-mail letter with more lives than a cat. No, it's not news; This has been rated the #1 Urban Legend over the last two years by at least one myth-buster site.
Don't panic! There is no deadline for signing up. Your cell phone will not be bombarded by telemarketers. While it does not hurt to sign your cell up, be aware of what it won't do, and what is not going to happen. --- >From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: April 29, 2005 "There is a grain of truth in the message making it believable, but it's wrong on two counts: Not all cell phone numbers will be listed in the national directory planned for 2006. And telemarketers will not have access to the directory. It is illegal for marketers using auto-dialers - and most do - to call wireless phone numbers. "Here's the truth: A national directory will be compiled, but numbers will be included on an opt-in basis. If a cell phone subscriber does nothing, the number will not be listed. When the directory is ready, it will be available only as part of the existing 411 directory service, accessed by calling in and asking for a specific number. It will not be published in a book or on the Internet. And it will not be sold to telemarketers. "Cell phone subscribers can list their numbers on the do-not-call registry if they choose, but there is no deadline to get on the list, as the e-mail messages now circulating suggest." --- Even if the cell phone directory database is someday compiled as proposed, nearly 50% or more of U.S. cell phone numbers wouldn't be included: Verizon and U.S. Cellular have always been opposed to the proposed cell phone directory, and as of last January, Sprint and Alltel had also pulled away from the project. More on: http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_cell_phone_directory.htm Even the Do Not Call Registry's own Website debunks this one: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/dncalrt.htm (Scroll down to #10) Ever notice how much of this stuff arrives during work hours? All it does is burn network bandwidth, clutter up email accounts and waste peoples time. Save bandwidth, kill the myth. Doug Walter Nokomis East >From Safe 4.2 via Todd Heintz: Do Not Call National Registry Public Service Announcement: JUST A REMINDER... September 1st 2005, cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will probably start receiving sales calls. YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS... To prevent this, you can call the following number from your cell phone: 1-888-382-1222. It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It blocks your number for five (5) years. You can also do this online at www.donotcall.gov I called the 1 - 888 number and checked the website. I registered my home and cell phone last year and the website verified that I had. REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
