Do Not Call Registry

by Dick Mac

All mobile phone numbers in the United States will become public information this month. This means that all telemarketing companies will have access to your cell phone number and can call you whenever they like.

When a telemarketer calls my home phone number, which they are not supposed to do because I am on the government's No-Call list, it is irritating, but doesn't really cost me anything. My mobile phone, however, has a limited number of minutes, and each time I answer a call, those minutes are deducted from my balance. So, it actually costs me money to have a telemarketer call. Also, if they call and I don't answer, they can leave a voice message (as long as they like, or until my setting shuts them off), and when I have to listen to an important voicemail message, I will have to spend minutes navigating through the telemarketer messages.

Remember the National Do Not Call Registry? It's a website and hot line that allows you to list the phone numbers which you do not want telemarketers to call.

It's time to get familiar with the Do Not Call Registry again.

There are two methods for listing your phone(s):

1. Call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want listed as 'do not call,' and follow the prompts to enter the phone number; or

2. Go to the National Do Not Call Registry website and register there.

Irrespective of which method you use, you can then verify the listing at the site by receiving an email. I recommend you verify.

It takes a month for the listing to take effect, so take action immediately.