Could we possibly get some relief from robocalls?

[Ohiogal]

Some new proposals in Congress might help .....

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Thankfully, proposals in both chambers of Congress offer some hope. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J) introduced a bill in the House last week closing the loophole on autodialers who today take advantage of outdated legal language. That should deter legitimate businesses from abuse. As for the spoofers, major carriers could deploy a technology as early as this year that will tell consumers whether an incoming call comes from a verified number. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai had already urged carriers to adopt these authentication systems, but he stopped short of mandating it. Mr. Pallone’s bill would do just that, as would legislation in the Senate co-written by Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and John Thune (R-S.D.). And Mr. Pallone’s sensibly would require phone companies to provide blocking services against spoofers free of charge.

The bills would also help with enforcement: The House proposal would grant the FCC the ability to fine rule-breakers at first offense, and the Senate counterpart would allow the agency to levy fines of $10,000 per call, up from $1,500. Both bills would extend the statute of limitations on violations.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/frustrated-by-robocalls-proposals-in-congress-offer-some-hope/2019/02/10/c12f4c6e-2aee-11e9-984d-9b8fba003e81_story.html?utm_term=.903daba8dc4e

[Siwsan]

1. I'm wondering if my phone carrier has put something in place

I have my home phone service through Xfinity. The last two junk calls I got - the phone rang once, the name flashed across the TV screen, and then - nothing. The number didn't even register on the phone's caller id screen. But calls from legitimate numbers are coming through, just fine.

I had been getting 2 or 3 robo and junk calls a day, on a light day, but those 2 have been it, since last week.

[Shrike47]

2. I certainly hope so. We get 4 or 5 a day. Aggravating as all get out.

[sarcasmo]

3. I use the App, HIYA for blocking call, it helps cut down the nonsense.

[gratuitous]

6. I tried a blocking app, nothing

In fact, it seemed I was getting more calls. But then, it was a free app, so I got pretty much what I paid for. It seemed to work okay for about a week, but then everything seemed to be getting through.

I'd like to see a free app that basically says, "If my phone doesn't know you, I don't know you." I know this is not an insuperable problem, and could be stopped tomorrow if the cell carriers gave a tin shit about their cash cows, their customers.

[RKP5637]

4. On my cell phone I have an app that forces them to voice mail, none leave a message. At home my VOIP

system allows me to block their numbers, etc.

[LiberalFighter]

5. I have Frontier and apparently they don't do anything to block fake or spam numbers.

[Initech]

7. Good, I can't stand robodialers.

Although I will say that it is fun to hang up on them!

[SouthernLiberal]

8. I have been on the Do Not Call list from the beginning

One of the things that bothers me even more than the robocalls is when a local business that I have never done business calls. I tell them they are calling a number on the do not call list and they act as if they have never heard of it. It's just like the days before do not call, they offer to put me on their own don't call list. Really? How many years has it been? I just cannot believe that anyone doing business today does not know about the do not call list.

[coolcat_riley]

9. Need government's help

I have just read an article at https://www.whycall.me/news/consumer-wins-massive-229500-robocall-lawsuit-against-time-warner-cable/ about this topic. I think there's no way we can stop those spammers without the authority's helping hands. We really need a regulations for these spammers, the strict ones. They are really really annoying!