A story’s circulating again that has some cellphone users worried — but Bob Brammer of the Iowa Attorney General’s office says it’s one of those “Urban Legends” that won’t go away. Brammer says it tells people that their cellphone numbers are going to be released to telemarketing companies and the companies will be able to call you. Brammer says it’s not true.
Brammer says even if the numbers were released, it’s unlikely you’d get telemarketing calls. He says the F-C-C regulations already prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cellphone numbers. Brammer says automated dialers are all telemarketers use, so there’s really “very, very little threat.” Brammer says though it’s easy to believe the story if you get it in an e-mail from a friend. He says people are trying to be helpful, but he says the warning is not based on truth.
Brammer says the rumors help spur hundreds of cellphone users to sign up for the national “Do Not Call” list — which he says is one good thing. He says they recommend that you sign up for the do not call by calling from the phone you want to sign up at 888-382-1222. Or you can do it on-line at:donotcall.gov. But Brammer says you don’t have to worry if you cellphone is not on the do not call list.