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.
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