| Anyone searching the web for free cell phone | | | | People simply don't want anyone who wishes |
| number lookup is sure to find hundreds of hits to | | | | calling their cell phone all the time, disrupting work, |
| the phrase. But the initial excitement is sure to | | | | irritating them during meals, as using up air time. |
| fade once they start clicking the links. The reality | | | | For these and a variety of other reasons, the cell |
| is that is order for anyone to offer a free cell | | | | phone number directory is on hold, probably |
| phone number lookup service, they would have to | | | | permanently. |
| access a database of all cell phone numbers. And | | | | Without this directory, there is no way anyone |
| no such database exists. | | | | can really offer a free cell phone number lookup [ |
| Unlike regular, "landline" phones, cell phone numbers | | | | Without access to a database of cell phone |
| in a given area code can belong to three, five or | | | | numbers and the corresponding information, |
| even twenty different mobile phone companies. | | | | someone would actually have to do a custom |
| Even if one or two companies decided to publish a | | | | investigation on each number. This takes time and |
| list of their customers, this would still only be a | | | | effort. How could any company really do this for |
| small percentage of the people who have cell | | | | free? |
| phones. But no cellular phone company is going to | | | | But without the database, and without a real way |
| publish their customer list. | | | | to offer the free cell phone number lookup, why |
| Cell phone service is a huge industry, and very | | | | would so many websites advertise the service? A |
| competitive. Just look at all the ads on TV begging | | | | simple marketing ploy. |
| customers to change from one service to | | | | Sites advertising free cell phone searches rely on |
| another. Does anyone really think a cellular service | | | | the would be customer's need for the info. They |
| provider is going to publish their customer list so | | | | provide a phone search box wherein potential |
| another company can market them? | | | | customers input the cell phone number to be |
| There has been talk of a cell phone directory, but | | | | searched. The fake page pretends to be |
| the cellular companies were against it, and so was | | | | searching billions of records for the corresponding |
| the public. People don't want to let salespeople and | | | | name and address info, followed by a dramatic |
| telemarketers have their number. Imagine how | | | | pause, with the final payoff being an assurance |
| quickly your cell phone minutes would be eaten up | | | | that the info was found. Oddly enough, the |
| by solicitation calls if anyone who wished could get | | | | information is never available for free. But for the |
| your cell number? Some people think the national | | | | customer, the temptation s too great not to pay. |
| Do not Call Registry would prevent sales calls. | | | | After all, the info has been found, they are told. It |
| They are wrong. | | | | is just behind the curtain. |
| The Do Not Call List-like most government | | | | Most customers pay. And often times the site |
| ideas-hasn't worked very well. But even if it did, | | | | then performs the actual, non-automated |
| those rules wouldn't apply to sales calls from | | | | investigations, which can take from hours to days. |
| companies you already do business with, like loan | | | | But the worst offenders charge the customers |
| offers from credit card companies, finance | | | | and then provide nothing but a link to other, |
| companies and other lenders, your current cable | | | | unrelated websites who legitimately perform cell |
| TV company, and others. | | | | phone number search investigations. |