Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Wednesday, May 21, 2014
(INDIANAPOLIS) - If you own a phone chances are you have received a call from an automated voice asking you to press “1” for a service you don’t want or need.
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said while these calls are annoying there's good news for Hoosiers. New complaint data reveals the number of robocalls placed to Indiana residents continues to drop.
For example, two years ago the attorney general's office received about 1,000 robocall complaints per month and now that number is down to 550.
"While it is good news that there are fewer complaints of robocallers, it's clear that more must be done," Zoeller said. "Each year the largest category of complaints with my office still involves violations of the no call law and robocall statute. I know Hoosiers are frustrated and that's why we are dedicated to curbing these types of calls."
In April, Zoeller and Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster held the first-ever national "No-Call Law Enforcement Summit." The summit helped state and federal agencies identify best practices on how to stop unwanted calls and prosecute violators.
Zoeller was a strong proponent of a resolution passed by Indiana state legislators this year which called on the Federal Communications Commission to more aggressively regulate telemarketing calls and robocalls that violate Hoosiers' telephone privacy.
Last year, the Indiana attorney general's office received more than 14,000 Do Not Call complaints with more than 50 percent involving robocalls. Since January, the attorney general's office has received nearly 4,000 complaints from consumers who received a telemarketing call from either a live operator or prerecorded message.
In Indiana, most robocalls are illegal regardless of whether or not a consumer's number is registered on the Do Not Call list. Exceptions include calls from school districts to students, parents or employees and businesses advising employees of work schedules. It is also legal if a live phone operator first obtains your permission before playing a pre-recorded message.
The next quarterly deadline to help reduce annoying sales calls and text messages is Tuesday, May 20. Consumers can register their residential landline, cell, VOIP or prepaid wireless numbers.
Individuals do not need to re-register unless their address has changed. To sign up or to confirm a number is already on the list, visit www.IndianaConsumer.com or call 1.888.834.9969. Out-of-state area codes can also be added as long as the billing address is located in Indiana.
Those consumers who are registered and receive an unwanted call can file a complaint by visiting www.IndianaConsumer.com.
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