Congress, Don’t Weaken Consumer Protections Against Robocalls!
- by: Susan V
- recipient: US Congress
Already this year over a million people have complained to the Federal Trade Commission about robocalls, reports NBC. But companies that facilitate these calls are asking Congress to make robocalling even easier.
With robocalls making up an estimated 35 percent of all phone calls placed in the U.S., apparently it’s easy enough already to make them, and what’s worse is that many of the calls are illegal.
A provision in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, says NBC, made it easier for collectors of federal debts to make robocalls; however, the Federal Communications Commission is now taking comments (through June 6) on its new proposed rules that would restrict the monthly number of calls and who can be called about these debts or give consumers the right to stop the calls altogether
But federal debt robocalls are just the tip of the iceberg, and even though not all robocalls are illegal (some are sent with permission and others for health and safety reasons), companies say lawsuits and penalties resulting from the bad ones are interfering with their ability to do business.
But consumer advocates say the problem is not too many lawsuits - it’s too many robocalls, and if the calls weren’t illegal, people wouldn’t sue.
Consumers don’t need or want weaker laws regulating these harassing and sometimes predatory calls! Sign this petition to urge Congress not to Weaken Consumer Protections Against Robocalls.
Dear Members of Congress,
As a citizen concerned about the harassment and harmful costs to consumers resulting from illegal robocalling, I am writing to request that you don't weaken the already compromised protections against robocalling.
[Your Comments]
Consumer Reports notes that “Robocalls do more than negatively affect quality of life. They are a way in which scammers prey on unsuspecting consumers.” They involve scams that CR says costs consumers “$350 million per year.” A fraudulent telemarketing scheme, for example, often begins with a robocall - like the Microsoft robocall scam that tells the recipient that his or her computer has sent a message that it has a virus. Then the robocaller promises to fix the problem by gaining access to the computer, "opening the door to identity theft."
Another scam called "The IRS scam," tricks victims into loading money onto a prepaid debit card for alleged fines they are told they owe.
CR says “Another scam claims that you failed to show up for jury duty and asks you to 'verify' your date of birth and Social Security number for the record—information a fraudster can use to open credit accounts in your name."
Even savvy consumers can be caught off guard by some of the tactics being used by unlawful robocallers.
Still recovering from the 2008 crash, the average consumer in America is stretched thin enough, some working three jobs just to make ends meet, without this added assault from robocalls to deal with.
Therefore I, the undersigned, urge Congress to do more to protect consumers from these robocall assaults - and certainly not weaken the inadequate protections already in place.
[Your Name]
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