I got an e-mail warning that in 12 days cell phone numbers will become fair game for telemarketers unless they're added to the federal do-not-call list. Is this true?

No. Cell phone companies are not releasing their phone numbers to telemarketers, though some carriers are collaborating to create a cell phone 411 directory. According to the website snopes.com, which catalogs urban legends, e-mails with this message have been circulating for several years and appear to result from confusion. Although some carriers are working on a directory of cell phone numbers, it will include only the numbers of people who choose to be listed, and the numbers will not be sold to telemarketers.

The phone number listed in the e-mail - 888-382-1222 - is the real number for the federal do-not-call registry.

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