The 402-952-4444 Identity Is...

This number, (402) 952-4444, belongs to the Gallup Company -- you know, the polling firm. So that's why you're probably getting called.

You might ask, but I'm on the Do Not Call List, why would 4029524444 call me, et cetera. First, my understanding is that political calls/polling organizations are generally exempt from the Do Not Call List law. Second, if you're concerned about privacy and that sort of thing, it can be helpful to realize that this number is calling you because a national polling firm like Gallup is probably merely dialing numbers at random. That's right, they probably have no idea who you are, your number just came up.

If you answer, they'll probably "prequalify" you over the phone, i.e. once they get you on the phone they'll find out if you're male/female, white/black/whatever, and so on, then decide if they want to ask you whatever they're polling on.

Not interested? Ignore them, they probably won't call back.

Here are some other choice comments I've seen:

• "Actually political polls and charity events are exempt from the National Do Not Call law."
• "I'm pretty sure 800 numbers (like bill collectors)  charities looking for donations and people doing surveys are exempt from the Do Not Call Registry." (Emphasis mine.)
• "If you are paying for an unpublished number and really do not have a reason to have an unpublished number you are wasting your money as far as telemarketers and pollsters are concerned.  Welcome to the 21st century." (Sad but rather true.)

And then there's this:

• "Calls me several times a day, does not leave message. Very annoying" Note: There are some pretty recent comments out there that make me wonder if this number hasn't changed hands and if it isn't now controlled by a shady organization, based on the comments I'm seeing on elsewhere. Does anyone have further information on this?  

Anyway, here's some further information in a video of somemore more general interest for those dealing with the Do Not Call List topic and 1-402-952-4444:

Thanks for reading!