Online Directory Compiling Cell Phone Numbers -- Maybe Even Yours

The next time you order a pizza for delivery, be careful. If you give your cell phone number to the person on the other end of the line, you may actually be giving up any expectation you have that the number will remain private.
A Bellevue, Wash.-based company, Intelius, has been compiling a hefty database of private cell phone numbers in some innovative ways, including mining some phone lists from companies you might not expect to be in the information-selling business.
This is about more than keeping your cell phone number out of the hands of strangers. Calling plans charge the subscriber for minutes used instead of the second party calling in. That means unwanted calls from, say, a telemarketer are more than just an annoyance -- they also cost you money.
Intelius has been skirting privacy laws based on what many may consider a legal loophole. Telephone companies are prohibited from compiling lists of cell phone numbers, but so far there's nothing (yet) that says a third-party can't do so. Thus, Intelius scours the Internet looking for numbers or buys lists from various companies. To conduct a number search you have to plunk down $14.95.
If you give your cell phone number to the pizza delivery guy, you're essentially opting in to that business's call list. And then that business simply turns around and sells the list to Intelius. (Mind you, we have nothing against pizza delivery in general -- and, in specific, we are grateful for the deliciously cheesy service they provide.)
Should you be worried, then, that your cell phone number is now broadcast across the Web for all to see? Not really. According to reports, many of the numbers that turn up in searches are incorrect. The company does claim to have about 90 million out of the approximately 195 million cell phone numbers active in the United States.
Phone companies like Verizon are stating they will push back against Intelius' efforts and some state legislatures are starting to wake up to consumers' concerns.
We'll stay on top of the issue for you. In the meantime, enjoy that pizza.
From MSNBC.com and Consumerist.com.
Related Links:
- Scary Search Engine Lets You Search By Face
- Google Plans to Digitize Your Medical Records
- Flickr-Proof Yourself





Whitney Houston Dead: Singer Dies at 48, Body Found in Beverly Hilton Hotel
Whitney Houston Autopsy: Cause of Death Determined?
Whitney Houston, Bobbi Kristina: Late Singer's Daughter Hospitalized
Whitney Houston Dead: Stars React to Legend's Sudden Death
Grammy Red Carpet 2012 (PHOTOS)
Grammy 2012 Winners' List: Adele Sweeps Music's Biggest Night
Katy Perry Grammy Performance 2012: Diva Tricks Fans With Faux Technical Meltdown
Tips for flying cheaper in 2012
There's only one thing to do when the Nürburgring is covered in snow...
Tax Reform in This Election Year: It's Not Likely














Comments
88
Subscribe to commentsLIVER AND ONIONSJan 31st 2008 4:33PM
I would comment but someone might get my number!
StephanieFeb 1st 2008 8:12AM
Give people the rejection hotline's "telemarketers Nightmare" number instead lol
SharonFeb 1st 2008 8:20AM
I got a new cell phone number, and now Im getting calls (i think bill collector calls) looking for someone else. Its agravating!
JamieFeb 3rd 2008 8:03PM
I get weird calls on my cell all the time. I just ignore them.
GayleFeb 1st 2008 8:44AM
I put both my home and my cell phone numbers on the national do not call list . I haven't had any problems since
GayleFeb 1st 2008 8:47AM
https://www.donotcall.gov/
this is the link to it and it is free
The national Do Not Call Registry
RazziFeb 1st 2008 8:52AM
Put your cell numbers and if you have a fax/phone or a house phone on the National No Call List. I did when that first started and didn't have a promblem till the 5 years was up last year. You have to go back in and redo it. It took 30 days for it to start again. I was getting faxes and calls during the 30 days. Just say I'm on the National No call List, Do Not call this number again and hang up. Cut them short. That list does work and it's so nice!
dakotasurferFeb 1st 2008 9:17AM
Cell phones are exempt from being called. When they call and I say it's a cell phone I've been told "we will remove your number, we can't call cell phones". And surprisingly enough the calls have cut down tremendously.
dakotasurferFeb 1st 2008 9:17AM
Razzi is right... use the Do Not Call list. It works even for Cellphones.
HCMFeb 1st 2008 9:33AM
I try to at least be polite when telemarketers call my home number, but if this happens on my cell phone, I will offer not a second of my time. This is the lowest of the slime tricks.
mariaFeb 1st 2008 9:51AM
i get the same things i would like to say private number un listed but they still call wrong numbers
ChrisFeb 1st 2008 10:10AM
>I am already getting people calling trying to >sell mr things...is there no escaping the >dreaded telemarketer?
No problems here - I just told everyone that if they call from a blocked or private number I'm not answering the call. Most telemarketer organizations don't show the number on the caller ID so if it's a blocked, private, or number I don't recognize I just don't answer.
KarenFeb 1st 2008 10:25AM
Don't answer if you don't recognize the number. Telemarketers hang up before they get your voicemail. That way you won't have any charge!
rogerFeb 2nd 2008 12:39AM
don't call me. i'm away on vacation with my drinking water
m2dchaFeb 2nd 2008 12:38AM
don't call me. i'm away on vacation with my drinking water. . . .
besides i'm voting for ralph wiggums for prez.
MohammadFeb 1st 2008 10:52AM
1. Use the do not call list as others have said. It is useful. AND IT WORKS.
2. I give out false information if I'm in a really pissy mood. Maybe your ex boyfriend/girlfriend?
gus gusFeb 1st 2008 10:51AM
in response to sandra w's comments, who said that were forced to have cell phones?? Believe it or not, there was a time when people walked around without them, I think they were called the 80's? I don't mean to be insulting to sandra but I know a lot of people who believe the same thing. Cell phones are a luxury, not a requirement. Were paying way too much for them because the cell phone companies know that people have panic attacks when they don't have them. With today's technology, it should cost about $14.99 a month for unlimited calling from anywhere, but its as simple as supply and demand, were willing to pay any price for them so companies charge through the roof for it.
JIM ROBINSONFeb 1st 2008 10:52AM
Just an FYI
Cell phone numbers going public tomorrow
REMINDER....all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies
tomorrow 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
It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time
It blocks your number for five (5) years. You
must call from the cell phone number you want to
have blocked. You cannot call from a different
phone number.
HELP OTHERS BY PASSING THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS.
It take about 20 seconds
CMDFeb 1st 2008 10:56AM
Put your phone number on the National Do Not Call list!! It's definitely worth it! You can do it online in a couple easy steps. You can register both your home phone number as well as your cell phone number. And in the event you do get a call, request that your phone number be taken off their list and they're supposed to do it. The website for the Do Not Call list is: www.donotcall.gov
Good luck
TeresaFeb 1st 2008 5:17PM
According to FCC regulations, telemarketers are NOT allowed to call cell phones BECAUSE of the per minute charges. That means that the next time someone calls you, you can threaten to report them to the FCC. I have done this since the first time I got a cell phone back in the 90's and it never fails.
I am 100% serious about this. Try it. Don't take the time to put your number on any Do Not Call list. Just tell the telemarketers you will report them. On the other hand, if you get one of those recorded messages, take the phone number and REPORT THEM TO THE FCC!