If you receive an email warning you that all U.S. cellphone numbers will be released to telemarketing companies, just ignore it.

Scott Mulford, media spokesman for the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, said emails with this message are scams.

“These sort of emails need to be ignored and deleted,” Mulford said. “They are designed solely to get personal information from you like account numbers and phone numbers. The best tip I can give you is to just delete it.”

Mulford said all telemarketing calls made to cell phones are illegal. It is also against federal law for telemarketers to call land line and cell phone numbers that are listed in the National Do Not Call Registry, he said.

According to the Federal Trade Commission’s website, telephone numbers placed on the registry will remain on it permanently, because of the Do-Not-Call Improvement Act of 2007. The website also said there are more than 157 million phone numbers listed on the National Do Not Call Registry.

Mulford said telemarketers could be subject to fines up to $11,000 per phone call if they violate these laws. Unfortunately, Mulford said, it is difficult for law enforcement to identify who the violators are because many people now get their internet, cable and phone services from one provider.

Mulford said non-profit organizations, political candidates and telemarketers who have business relations with individuals they are calling are exempt from the Do Not Call Registry.

One example of an organization that is not subject to this law is the Northern Fund, which works to solicit financial support from alumni for NIU’s programs and students.

Frank Goshko, associate director of the Northern Fund, said telemarketing calls are never made to someone who is not affiliated with NIU or has never donated to the university.

The Northern Fund only makes telemarketing calls to cellphones if it is what the alumnus or alumnae identified as his or her number to contact, Goshko said.

Anna Kulseth, director of the Northern Fund, said the Advancement Services Team updates all information from students such as addresses and phone numbers upon graduation. A year later, the alumni are contacted, she said.

Goshko said if an alumnus answers the phone, the Northern Fund tries to update information and asks for a current email and cellphone number.

“If an alumnus doesn’t want to share that information they don’t have to,” Goshko said. “Our goal is never to annoy or bother people. We want to share information and inspire people to donate.”