New York toughens laws on telemarketers

(The Center Square) — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed a bill tightening rules on telemarketers who bombard consumers with billions of “robocalls” every year.

The new restrictions, approved by the state Legislature, aim to reduce calls by nearly doubling the fine for telemarketers violating the nationwide do-not-call registry to $20,000 from the current $11,000 penalty.

“Every day, hard-working New Yorkers are forced to field call after call from relentless telemarketers,” Hochul said in a statement. “We’re raising the penalty for violators of the Do Not Call Registry to deter telemarketers, protect New Yorkers, and send a clear message that New York won’t tolerate these frustrating, unsolicited calls.”

One of the bill’s chief sponsors, state Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-Rome, said in a statement that the new telemarketing restrictions “will provide some much-needed relief to New Yorkers who are sick and tired of receiving bothersome, inconvenient and troublesome calls every day.”

Hochul signed legislation in 2021 requiring telemarketers to give customers the option to be added to the company’s do-not-call list at the beginning of certain telemarketing calls.

In July, the Federal Trade Commission and other regulators announced a nationwide crackdown to stop companies from inundating consumers with billions of unwanted and illegal robocalls and telemarketing calls.

New York is a member of the Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force, a group of Attorneys General authorized to investigate and take legal action against companies responsible for routing significant volumes of illegal robocall traffic.

In May, New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a multi-state federal lawsuit against an Arizona-based company accused of facilitating “billions” of robocalls that “scammed” Americans out of millions of dollars.

The lawsuit alleges the company, a Voice over Internet Protocol provider, facilitated more than 7.5 billion calls to numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry, a database of consumers requesting to be excluded from robocalls.

The company has denied the allegations and pledged to “defend itself vigorously and vindicate its rights and reputation through the legal process.”

DON’T MISS OUT

Be the first to know about the latest news, giveaways, events, and updates from The Black Chronicle!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

spot_img

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Pritzker touts rising minimum wage as Illinois’ unemployment rate has increased

(The Center Square) – Illinois employers are bracing for...

Lawsuit filed against Minnesota for barring Christian schools from using program

(The Center Square) – A religious liberty group, Christian...

Bah, humbug! Rand Paul report details ‘waste’ in federal spending

Congress and federal agencies wasted more than $1 trillion...

This Day in History: Jazz Legend Cab Calloway Born in 1907

On Dec. 25, 1907, legendary jazz musician and bandleader...

Ohio minimum wage to increase Jan. 1

(The Center Square) – Ohioans working for minimum wage...

Louisiana residents list crime as one of state’s most pressing issues

(The Center Square) — In Louisiana, violent and property...

Chinese spies arrested in California

(The Center Square) – People’s Republic of China (PRC)...

More like this
Related

Pritzker touts rising minimum wage as Illinois’ unemployment rate has increased

(The Center Square) – Illinois employers are bracing for...

Lawsuit filed against Minnesota for barring Christian schools from using program

(The Center Square) – A religious liberty group, Christian...

Bah, humbug! Rand Paul report details ‘waste’ in federal spending

Congress and federal agencies wasted more than $1 trillion...

Medical Notes: How To Starve Cancer, Hack Your Sleep, And Supercharge Your Cells

Cancer loves the sugar in our diets. A new study...