Every now and again emails begin appearing warning cell phone users their cell phone numbers are about to be released to telemarketers. Visions of receiving sales calls and being charged for them begin to loom large.

The first thing to know is this is one of those urban legends. According to Privacy Rights, the rumor probably got started when the wireless industry started talking about creating an opt-in 411 directory. That’s still in the works and even if it happens, you’d have to choose to be part of it.

The second thing to know is you can register your cell phone on the National Do Not Call Registry, either at their website or by calling 888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register.

It can’t hurt to register you cell phone – then you can be certain you can ignore the emails with the warnings.