The Truth about the "Cell Phone Do Not Call Registry"

Internet rumors swirl around on sign-up deadlines.

Federal Trade Commission

Despite claims made in messages circulating on the Internet, it is not necessary for consumers to register their cell phones on a separate Do Not Call Registry to be protected from most telemarketing calls.

Rumors abound on the Internet, the Federal Trade Commission said, that there is some kind of deadline by which you must register your cell phone number on the Do Not Call Registry (DNC).

"Consumers should not be concerned that their cell phone numbers will be released to telemarketers in the near future," the FTC said.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers. Automated dialers are standard in the industry, so most telemarketers are barred from calling consumers' cell phones, the FTC noted.

"There is only one National DNC Registry," according to the FTC. There is no separate registration list for cell phones.

The DNC Registry accepts registrations from both cell phones and land lines. You must call from the phone number that you want to register. If you register online, you must respond to a confirmation e-mail.

According to the telecommunications industry, your cell phone number will not be included in a wireless directory unless you want it to be listed (an "opt-in" process).

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