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Commission: Cell numbers won't be made public

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BY NANCY HICKS / Lincoln Journal Star

Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 - 12:21:34 pm CDT

No one is about to make wireless phone numbers public, despite a chain e-mail that has been floating around for years, according to the Nebraska Public Service Commission.

So there is little danger your cell phone number will get into the hands of telemarketers, as the e-mail suggests. 

In fact, it’s largely against the law for telemarketers to call cell phones, said Cheryl Elton, PSC consumer advocate.

Got a complaint?

* To file a report with the Federal Communications Commission:

http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm

* To put your number on the do-not call list:

www.donotcall.gov

(888) 382-1222

* For more information:

www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/truthaboutcellphones.html

Specifically, it is unlawful to use any automatic dialing system — or any artificial or prerecorded voice message — to call a wireless number. And most telemarketers use these systems.

If you receive a telemarketing call, the PSC’s Gene Hand suggests reporting it to the Federal Communications Commission or to the company involved.

But that means listening to the message long enough to find out who’s calling, he added.

Consumers can also put their wireless number on the do-not call list by phone or by going online, Elton said.

E-mails warning that wireless numbers are going to be made public have circulated for five or six years, Elton said.


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M wrote on September 23, 2008 12:27 pm:
" Ah... but does that law include texting? I have received several spam text and when questioning Alltel, they simply say... "Yeah, that happens. There is nothing we can do." No, you can remove the text charges since my plan dosn't cover that. "

 Mel wrote on September 23, 2008 12:35 pm:
" Let's hope all the people who are continually sending the false information via email will read this and stop. I've received the email 19 times in the past week. Please for the sake of all the people in your email address book, be sure of your facts before hitting the "forward" button. Thank you! "

 CS wrote on September 23, 2008 12:39 pm:
" Snopes.com is your friend. "

 And Political Recordings wrote on September 23, 2008 1:08 pm:
" I know telemarketers can't call AND I've put my name on the Do Not Call list. Is there any chance that Jeff Fortenberry falls under either of these lists? I'm a Democrat yet he still won't stop harassing my poor defenseless cell phone with tape recorded blather.. :( "

 M wrote on September 23, 2008 1:09 pm:
" TruthOrFiction.com works as well. :) "

 Sue wrote on September 23, 2008 1:59 pm:
" ( to M )we had the same problem with being charged with text messages were able to contact the company itself and got the refund "

 Mr. Snrub wrote on September 23, 2008 2:31 pm:
" Sorry "And Political Recordings" but political calls are generally exempt from the Do Not Call registry because political speech enjoys more constitutional protection than, say, credit card offers. "

 Outside the Box wrote on September 23, 2008 3:56 pm:
" Aside from the telemarketing concerns (which is covered by Do Not Call) why can't they make wireless numbers public?

With the landline (and it's listing in a phonebook) becoming a dinosaur, people should be able to look up somebody's phone number. While there are definite advantages to only having friends and family knowing my digits, there have been several times where I've missed out on info/opportunities/old friends because I'm essentially unlisted.

If a person wants to be unlisted, that could be their option, but I have no problem with my cell number being in a directory. Besides, any unscrupulous telemarketer could easily get an auto dial program to call common cell prefixes in the 402 area code. "

 R. Bear wrote on September 23, 2008 4:05 pm:
" 9-23-08 I have been called on my cell at least 5 time by people wanting money or wanting to tell me how to vote or to take a survay on some public debate. I have never given my phone out to anyone ext to Insurance doctor offices,and goverment departments. They may say they are not going to give out but someone has given out something to someone. "

 Mel wrote on September 23, 2008 4:21 pm:
" To "CS" and "M": If only my email friends read Snopes or Truth or Fiction....most of them believe if it comes in a email it MUST be true. Now if we could only get someone to print a news article refuting the whole "Microsoft will track your emails and pay you millions..." "

 MP wrote on September 23, 2008 7:07 pm:
" Outside The Box.. That can go both ways. You can pay a fee to have your phone# put in book or hey here is an idea get a home phone. I and many others don't want are cell phone numbers listed. I only want people who know me or need to contact me to call my cell phone.

As for Jeff Fortenberrys calling your phone if this is true call his office here in Lincoln and tell them. They will have to remove your number from there call list. "

 CS wrote on September 23, 2008 7:58 pm:
" Mel,
Thats why I hit "Reply All" and attach the Snopes article, and change the subject line to something equally sensationalistic and all in CAPS with !!!!! for good measure. My receipt of these types of emails seems to dwindle for awhile after a few of those, for some reason. "

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