Does this sound familiar? Many of our readers have commented that they have received an e-mail telling you that your cell phone is about to be assaulted by telemarketing calls as a result of a new cell phone number database, rest assured that this is not the case. Robert Paisola, CEO, of Utah Based Western Capital Financial Services, (www.mycollector.com ) stated that telemarketing to cell phone numbers has always been illegal in most cases and will continue to be so. In response to recent e-mail campaigns urging consumers to place their cell phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry, the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission issue has recently issued this formal advisory to give consumers the facts. One e-mail making the rounds says: JUST A REMINDER...In a few weeks, cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sale calls. YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS... To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 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. PASS THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS... Another version claims: The Federal Trade Commission has set up a "do not call" list. It is called a cell phone registry. To be included on the "do not call" list, you must call from the number you wish to register. Paisola stated that the hysteria that he hears from his viewers and listeners has become a serious issue. We want to get the message out that Cell Phones are still Off-Limits to both Collection Agencies (upon Request) and telemarketing firms said Paisola. Current FCC regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers. Automated dialers are standard in the telemarketing and collection industries, so most telemarketers are barred from calling consumers on their cell phones without their direct consent. The public should be aware that The Federal Government does not maintain a national cell phone registry. Personal cell phone users have always been able to add their numbers to the National Do Not Call Registry the same Registry consumers use to register their land lines either online at www.donotcall.gov or by calling toll-free 1-888-382-1222 from the telephone number they wish to register, said Paisola. Registrations become effective within 31 days of signing up and are active for five years. There is no cut-off date or deadline for registrations. To learn more about the National Do Not Call Registry and the rules that enforce it, visit the FTC at www.ftc.gov , The FCC at www.fcc.gov . Or Western Capital at www.mywesterncapital.com/news.html The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. Complaints are now being accepted in both English and Spanish, and can be filed by calling toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357), or use the complaint form at www.ftc.gov. To Your Success Robert Paisola robert@mycollector.com |
