Most people say they believe their cell phone numbers should be private and confidential. However, those numbers could soon be listed, just like your home phone number.

"What the phone companies want to do is to put everybody's cell phone number in a directory so that anyone can call you at any time unless you pay your cell phone company to unlist your cell phone number," Rep. Edward Markey, of Massachusetts, told WCAU-TV in Philadelphia.

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Markey has introduced a law called the "Wireless 411 Privacy Bill." It has three main points:

Existing phone subscribers would have to opt in, which means they have to agree to being listed.

New subscribers could opt out and say no to being listed.

No fees could be charged to anyone for being unlisted.

The Cellular Telephone and Internet Association says a privacy bill is unnecessary.

"All the carriers participating in the directory have told CTIA that they will only be listing consumers on an opt-in basis. That means consumers will have to choose to be listed. They'll have to actively do something to be listed," said Travis Larson, of the CTIA.

"It's only a promise, and they can change their mind at any time if they think they can make money off of listing your number," Markey explained.

Cell phone contracts give the companies total control over directory listings.

AT&T's contract, for example, says it can use your name, address and mobile phone number for any lawful purpose. T-Mobile's contract says that unless subscribers pay a fee, it can list the name, address and number in a public directory.

But the cell phone industry insists it won't list customers who don't want to be listed.

"We don't want our consumers upset with us because they find that their number is listed without their permission," Larson said.

"The cell phone companies say they don't want to disclose everyone's cell phone number, but they reserve the right to create a 411 cell phone directory. We need a law," Markey said.

The Consumer Alert bottom line is if you don't like the idea of a cell phone 411 directory, you call or e-mail your lawmakers. The following links will help you find out who to contact:

United States Senate

Gov.com: Senate

Congress.org

Gov.com: Congress