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« Victory for Truth in Wireless Billing | Main | Meet CUB's Shaich Interns » February 05, 2008Wireless Do Not Call List Rumors UntrueWe love it, here at CUB, when we are able to respond directly to a query and open up a topic for public discussion. Particularly if we can soothe some fears in the process. Such was the case this past week: Bob Jenks met with a CUB ally who asked about the rumors circulating about the necessity of registering cell phone numbers with a separate Do Not Call List. Emails have been asserting that soon cell phone numbers will be released in the form of a national directory for telemarketing. The calls would be bad enough; that wireless users would have to pay for the privilege of receiving telemarketing calls would make it even worse. "If it's true, why isn't CUB talking about it?" she asked, "And if it's not true, why hasn't CUB let people know?" Luckily, it's not true. The day after the aforementioned meeting, the cell phone Do Not Call issue again came up, this time in a press release from the Oregon Public Utility Commission. The PUC stated that these rumors are untrue, and that cell phones are not about to become fodder for telemarketing. It is true that there has been some discussion among wireless companies of creating a national directory of wireless numbers, but so far this has not occurred, and it remains illegal for companies to use automated dialing to call wireless phones. The FCC, which has a page discussing this issue also, understands that a significant portion of the cost of telemarketing would fall on cell phone users who pay for all airtime, and we believe they will not approve something so inherently unfair. There is one Do Not Call List, which was begun in June 2003. Over 100 million Americans have registered their numbers on the list, and anyone who wishes to have the extra protection may register their cell phone number on this list. The original plan was to have a 5-year limit on registration, but because it would involve kicking so many millions of voluntary participants off the list, the FTC is talking with Congress about options for extending registration beyond the June 2008 5-year anniversary. So do not fear the terrible specter of receiving credit card offers and special travel deals while you're waiting in line at the supermarket or rushing to get home for dinner. And if they call you during dinner on your home phone, register that number with the Do Not Call List - soon! Posted by Oregon CUB at February 5, 2008 03:15 PM CommentsThank you for the great information! I find these CUB online messages very helpful and I support your work in the Oregon Legislature. Now for another question. What about continued calls from creditors that keep calling for persons no longer at the address and phone number for over 2 years!!! The number is on the "Do not Call list" but comes from area code "202" and cannot be blocked! Posted by: Mike JamesLong at February 7, 2008 11:32 AM Commercial phone solitcitors are supposed to update their Do Not Call List every 31 days, so after you have signed up, the calls are supposed to stop within 1 month. Solicitations are allowed when the company has a "pre-existing business relationship" with someone. However, this relationship can only last 18 months (you can end it immediately by asking them to stop calling you). If the calls you are getting are for a person that has not had the phone number for 2 years and you have placed the phone number on the Do Not Call List more than 31 days ago, it seems to me that the calls are a violation of the Do Not Call Rules. Here is the FCC link that explains the rules: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/tcpa.html The Attorney General Office of Oregon can now enforce the federal Do Not Call List. Here is a link that explains how to file a complaint. http://www.doj.state.or.us/finfraud/donotcall.shtml Posted by: Bob Jenks at February 7, 2008 11:43 AM |
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©2005 Citizens' Utility Board of
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Maybe
it's time to put your number on the national Do Not Call list.