I received this in an e-mail. I assume it is true:

JUST A REMINDER....

ON FEB. 2nd, all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing
companies and you will start to receive sale calls.

YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS

To prevent this, call the following number from your
cell phone: 888-382-1222.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) tried to calm jittery cell phone users by issuing an advisory last week telling them that they don't need to register their mobile number with the agency's Do-Not-Call Registry.

A heavily circulated e-mail that claims cell phone numbers will be for sale to telemarketers has gained so much traction that the FTC felt it necessary to debunk the hoax. "Contrary to the e-mail, cell phone numbers are NOT being released to telemarketers, and you will NOT soon be getting telemarketing calls on your cell phone," the FTC said in the advisory published on its Web site.

"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 statement went on.

The e-mail first surfaced in the spring of 2005, but recently resurfaced.

The e-mail might have seemed legitimate to more people last week as news reports surfaced of brokers illegally selling cell and land line phone records. On Friday, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed a lawsuit against one of the brokers, Florida-based 1st Source Information Specialists, which operates a Web site called LocateCell.com.

une 2004

This one is partly true, the phone number and website are links to the national Do Not Call list for any telephone number, not just cell phones. The rest is wrong.

# According to the Federal Trade Commission, It is already illegal to use utodialers on cell phone numbers, which eliminates most telemarketers.
# There is no national cell phone directory maintained by the Government.
# There is no cutoff date for registering any phone number with the registry, including cell phones.

This message was probably started when several wireless providers planned to create a 411 directory for cell phones. That directory will not be given out and will only be available to people who call in and pay a fee and it is only with the subscribers permission.

Be careful though, there are some Do Not Call scams where for a mere $3 per month they will put you on the FTC's Do Not Call list. If someone calls you claiming to be from the FTC and want to put you on the list for money, hang up. Call the FTC's number or connect to the website and do it yourself for free.
# Do Not Call Phone: 1-888-382-1222
# Do Not Call Website: https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx