Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) reintroduced the Deter Obnoxious, Nefarious, and Outrageous Telephone (DO NOT) Call Act with Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) to crack down on illegal robocalls and robotexts. In 2022, Americans received 78 billion robocalls and 225 billion robotexts, and lost $65 billion to robocalls and $20 billion to robotexts.
“Robocalls disrupt the lives of Nevadans every day, and we need to do more to crack down on bad actors looking to defraud vulnerable victims out of their savings or benefits.” said Senator Cortez Masto. “My legislation will give law enforcement the tools it needs to protect Nevadans and hold scammers accountable.”
“Most robocalls aren’t just unwanted and disruptive – they are illegal, and often target seniors and vulnerable Americans,” said Senator Klobuchar. “Our legislation will give law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on scammers and deter criminals from abusing robocalls.”
“Robocalls are obnoxious and disruptive,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Scammers should not be allowed unfettered access to New Yorkers at all times of day and night. I am proud to be reintroducing this bill to crack down on robocalls and robotexts and impose stricter penalties for scammers by increasing fines and potential prison sentences. I look forward to getting it passed.”
The DO NOT Call Act would improve enforcement and enhance penalties for robocallers who violate the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Under the new bill, willful and knowing violation of the TCPA could result in a prison sentence of up to one year. The bill also increases the maximum penalty for falsifying Caller ID and creates longer prison sentences for scammers involved in repeat offenses.
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