On Tuesday, the Federal Trade Commission announced it's teaming up with federal, state and local law enforcement to fight illegal robocalls. The joint crackdown is called "Operation Call it Quits."
The FTC and its partners are planning to file charges against companies and individuals that officials say are responsible for more than 1 billion robocalls. The crackdown involves nearly 100 cases, including five that are criminal. The operation will also involve promoting technology solutions to block robocalls and fight caller ID spoofing.
If you're dealing with daily robocalls, there are a few things you should know. First, being on the national Do Not Call list doesn't protect you from scammers or illegal calls. Software now makes it easy to place mass calls, and they may even look like they're coming from local numbers. If you get a suspicious robocall, hang up and block the number on your phone. You may even want to report it to the FTC.
If you have a smartphone, you may be able to stop unwanted calls by downloading a call blocker. Some phone carriers also have services to block calls before your phone even rings.
Earlier this month, the Federal Communications Commission voted to let phone companies block robocalls by default, meaning they don't have to ask customers for permission.
