Feds propose new action against illegal robocalls and scam texts
There's some good news in the fight against unwanted text messages and scam calls. The federal government is proposing new rules to protect consumers.
Unwanted calls are the top consumer complaint every year, accounting for more than 60 percent of the complaints the Federal Communications Commission receives.
So on Thursday, the feds issued its first-ever report on illegal robocalls and they're trying to take new action.
You might remember Bob Brownridge from a recent Troubleshooters story on how to make money off of robocalls.
Like so many of you, Bob hates getting those unwanted phone calls.
One of the more vexing categories of these calls involves numbers that are spoofed, meaning someone transmits misleading or inaccurate caller ID information to disguise their identity.
"Usually it will look very similar to the first six digits of your phone number - the area code and the first three," said Craig Kimmel from Kimmel & Silverman.
Now the FCC is calling for a new weapon in the fight against spoofed text messages and scam calls from overseas by proposing to extend existing consumer legislation so it can prosecute the people on the other end of the line.
"These are the kind of calls where people pick up the phone and they're threatened and they're harrassed and they're made to believe that they're in trouble unless they provide a credit card number, bank account number, or personal information like a social security number," said Kimmel.
Also, Verizon just announced that starting next month, its wireless customers will be able to sign up for free spam alerts and tools that let them block unwanted calls. Right now Verizon's Call Filter service is $2.99 per line, per month.
ONLINE:
FCC issues report on illegal robocalls
FCC Seeks to Combat Illegal Spoofed Texts & International Calls
FCC: Tips to avoid spoofing scams
Verizon's spam and robocalling features to be offered free to all Verizon customers
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