Even the BBB Got Fooled By Misinformation on Cellular 4-1-1

The Better Business Bureau claims its staff members work hard to protect its members from unscrupulous business practices, including internet and email scams. But it appears the Connecticut office of the BBB has fallen prey to what federal officials are calling one of the most prevailing points of misinformation circuiting through the Internet, and numerous email “chain letters.”

A recent release from Paulette Hotton, president of the BBB’s Connecticut office implored the media to reach out to the public about a so-called cellular 4-1-1 directory that is reportedly being compiled, even naming an international cellular company that is “not compiling a [cellular] 4-1-1 list.”

The release goes on to state:

“Right now six of the seven national wireless companies are compiling lists that they say will be used to produce a wireless 4-1-1 service; however there’s speculation that this list will fall into the hands of telemarketers. That means cell phone users could have their precious minutes used up by sales pitches and annoyance calls. To stop this from happening, the Federal Trade Commission is allowing cell phone users to register their number with a national do not call registry.”

While it has always been true that the FTC will allow cell phone users to register their phones on the Do Not Call [DNC] list, a spokesperson at that agency said she would be contacting the state BBB director immediately to advise the business organization issue a clarification.

In a June press advisory, the FTC stated: Despite recirculating email, it is still not necessary to register cell phone numbers.

“As the number of phone numbers on the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry surpassed 125 million, the Federal Trade Commission reiterated June 21 that despite the claims made in emails circulating on the Internet, consumers should not be concerned that their cell phone numbers will be released to telemarketers at any time in the near future.

“In addition, according to the agency, it is not necessary to register cell phone numbers on the DNC Registry to be protected from most telemarketing calls to cell phones,” the FTC release states.

Ms Hotton’s release incorrectly stated that the 4-1-1 lists could still leave cell phone users vulnerable to telemarketing calls.

The FTC is working to counter this widely-circulated misinformation by publishing the truth about cell phones and the DNC Registry. Among the points the government agency is trying to circulate:

‘Contrary to the email, cell phone numbers are not being released to telemarketers, and you will not soon be getting telemarketing calls on your cell phone.

‘There is no deadline by which you must register your cell phone number on the registry.

‘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 on their cell phones without their consent.

‘The national associations representing telemarketers have stated that their clients do not intend to start calling consumers’ cell phones.

‘There is only one DNC Registry. There is no separate registry 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 email.

‘While the telecommunications industry has been discussing the possibility of creating a wireless 411 directory, according to the FCC, even if a wireless 411 directory is established, most telemarketing calls to cell phones would still be illegal, regardless of whether the number is listed on the federal government’s National Do Not Call Registry.

To learn more about the National DNC Registry and the rules that enforce it, visit the FTC at www.ftc.gov or the FCC at www.fcc.gov. For more information about a planned “wireless 411” directory, visit http://www.qsent.com/wireless411.

The BBB advises that individuals can and should register on the DNC registry to avoid unwanted solicitations. The number to call to place a phone number on the registry is 1-888-382-1222.

One can also register on line at www.donotcall.gov