Recently a mass email has circulated about the National ‘Do Not Call’ registry. It probably looks something like this:

In the coming weeks, CELL PHONE numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive tele-sales calls. If you want to kick this to the curb before it starts, call this number from your cell phone 888-382-1222. You must call from the phone you want to block. It is the National Do Not Call list. It blocks your number for 5 years and only takes you about 23 seconds to complete the process. You can also register at www.donotcall.gov

While the registry itself is valid and, in general I believe a very good thing, this email is full of myths. To start, any so-called list of cell phone numbers that may exist will not be made available to telemarketers. Further, telemarketers cannot call cell phone numbers because it costs the phone-owner money to receive that call. Another is that there is a deadline in which to register your number. Again, not true. There is no deadline to register any number–cell or landline.

So, add your home phone number. Even add your cell phone (can’t hurt!). Just don’t expect your cell phone to become innundated with offers for credit cards or low-interest mortgages. Just look to your email for those…

Also, maybe do a bit of research before mass-emailing something like this to everyone in your address book.