It’s the perfect time to take action, now that Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler has urged big phone companies to give customers free technology to block these computer-generated telemarketing calls.
We’re all annoyed by these calls, but they’re more than just a nuisance. Consumers Union estimates that scam artists use robocalls to help them rob people of $350 million a year.
After years of foot-dragging, maybe the industry is finally ready to take substantive action. In response to Wheeler, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson announced he would lead a “strike force” against robocalling. Wheeler urged other phone companies to get involved and produce a plan to combat robocalls in 60 days.
Let’s make sure Illinois’ big phone companies (AT&T, Verizon, Frontier) know we’re watching, and we expect results. Sign CUB’s petition and turn the heat up on Big Telecom.
