FTC warns of cellphone scam

An e-mail warning consumers that cellphone numbers will soon be released to telemarketers is making the rounds again, and government officials have a key detail they'd like to add: it's totally bogus.

The e-mails say that recipients must add their cellphone numbers to the federal government's Do Not Call registry by a certain deadline in order to avoid being deluged by telemarketing calls. But there is no deadline, cellphone numbers aren't about to be released to telemarketers and it is already illegal for most telemarketers to call mobile phones, the Federal Trade Commission said Friday.

"This is an urban legend that will not die," FTC says, requesting that recipients stop forwarding it to others.

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Comments

  • 0
    Jane
    My friend brought this "news" to me. IT IS a legend that would not die :)
  • 0
    TB
    been gett'em for days now and it is a scam!!!
  • 0
    db
    Although there is not going to be a 'release' of mobile numbers,  I personally have received t/m calls on my cell(s).  They apologised and claimed they didn't know it was a mobile number.  Sounded scripted, but it still happens.  Of course this was years ago, before I knew of any prohibition of the act.
  • 0
    Ann
    Answer machine received message "Trisha" Marketing group return call to 866-557-0485, HOWEVER my Caller ID read Out of AREA 623-889-5538 and Google read Phoenix, AZ number. Thanks

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