Celling Out: Can Telemarketers Call Your Cellphone?

An internet warning is causing concern for cellphone users.

The warning states that beginning this January, telemarketers will now be able to call people's cellphones, racking up their phone bills.

We talked to the Federal Trade Commission, who manage the "national do not call registry", to find out if this was true.

According to the FTC, the answer is no, it's just an urban legend.

People can still register their home phone numbers, as well as their cellphone numbers to the "do not call registry", if they want to, but cellphone numbers don't necessarily have to be registered.

Federal Communication Commission regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers. Automated dialers are standard in the industry, so most telemarketers don't call consumers on their cellphones without their consent.

If you do receive a call from a telemarketer on your cell phone, you can report them to either the FTC or the FCC.

You can register your home number or your cellphone number online at www.donotcall.gov or call toll free at 1-888-382-1222, (tty 1-866-290-4236) from the number you wish to register. Registration is free.

For more information about the "National Do Not Call Registry", go to www.ftc.gov.