The phone rings. You answer. Seconds later, click. You hang up.
It’s a cycle millions of consumers endure daily thanks to robocalls.
While stopping the calls — at least for now — may seem impossible, there are steps Floridians can take to limit their frequency.
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What are robocalls?
Robocall is a term used to refer to text messages and telephone calls made via automated dialing.
They often solicit goods and services, notably offers to extend your car warranty. Many times, though, they are fronts for swindlers involved in fraud, cyber-crime and identity theft.
The numbers are staggering.
Nearly 60 million Americans reported losing money in 2021 due to phone scams. Truecaller Insights estimates Americans lost $29 billion in 2021 alone. The average reported loss per consumer: $502.
How do I limit robocalls in Florida?
State leaders are well aware of the issue and have taken efforts in recent years to address it.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) invites Floridians to add their phone numbers onto a “Do Not Call List.” Inclusion will allow FDACS to determine potential telemarketing violations, which may lead to legal action.
The Federal Trade Commission also maintains a Do Not Call list. While neither the state or federal registry will stop the calls, the registries inform…
