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Lawmakers, tech companies working to stop robocalls

84 views · Published 20 September 2018 · 2:38 · Indexed 25 September 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2018 · News & Politics

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CINCINNATI (WKRC) - It might feel like robocalls outnumber calls from your friends and family these days. 

In Cincinnati, the average person gets an estimated 14 fake calls a month. During August, more than 4 billion robocalls inundated phones across the country: an estimated 150 million fake calls in Ohio, 37 million in Kentucky and 68 million in Indiana.

"Robocall scams are increasing really, really quickly, and they're very dangerous and easy to fall for," said Youmail CEO Alex Quilici. 

Youmail stops suspected robocalls by giving an out of service message. 

"You wouldn't run your computer without antivirus, you shouldn't let your cell phone run without a call-blocking app," said Quilici.

Rule number one: Never answer a number you don't know. 

"Don't pick up and say one word; don't pick up and press number one or number six or whatever they say to opt out, because once you answer and have a voice there, or you push a button, they will take that number as someone. That's a good number and they will resell that," said Indiana state representative Jeff Ellington.

Ellington is working on a bill that partners with the state attorney general's office to authenticate calls.

"Our do-not-call list is working, but there's just a lot of bad actors right now," said Ellington. 

He also wants to double fines from $5,000 to $10,000. Quilici said it's good government is paying attention, but it doesn't fix the problem.

"They tend to be beyond the reach of the law, or they're willing to pay whatever fine happens to be there," said Quilici. Callers are changing with technology, so now is the time to take action.

"As everybody starts changing their behavior and using apps like our apps and the regulators and enforcement arms try to attack it, you're going to see it get better," said Quilici.

If you are getting robocalls and are listed on the do-not-call registry, report them. Ellington wants his bill to also allow businesses in Indiana to register, because currently, they are not allowed.

The attorneys general in Ohio and Kentucky are working with the Federal Trade Commission on better enforcement of the do-not-call registry, but neither state has any legislation in the works right now.

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