CUB Supports Anti-Robocall Bill: HB 2759
Posted on April 25, 2023 by Jennifer Hill-Hart
Tags, Telecommunications, General Interest
Unwanted robocalls are a widespread problem. A new anti-robocall bill, HB 2759, will further protect Oregon households from financial scams that take away the hard-earned money of our well-meaning friends, family, and neighbors.
Robocalls Harm Oregonians
According to the Oregon Department of Justice, U.S. consumers received over 50.3 billion robocalls in 2022. Last year, Oregonians reported over 40,000 unwanted calls and over 26,000 of them stemmed from robocalls. One study found that over 68.4 million Americans lost an estimated $39.5 billion to phone scams in 2022.
Oregonians should be protected from phone scams, particularly those that threaten their financial stability. These scammers prey on vulnerable Oregonians, like our parents and grandparents.
A CUB member recently told us that she regularly gets phone calls from a “scared” young man claiming to be her grandson and pleading for money to resolve a minor traffic accident. He says he needs the funds immediately. Without funds, the scammer claims the other driver will call the police and claim the grandson purposely caused the accident. To which our member replies: which grandson are you? Click.
HB 2759: Protecting Oregonians from Robocall Scams
With HB 2759, Oregon can help the fight against these manipulative scammers. This bill holds phone companies accountable, helps Oregonians recover lost funds, and can help prevent future robocall scams.
Holding Phone Companies Accountable
Many phone companies knowingly contract with scammers to receive income from each call they patch through. This bill puts these providers on notice that people are more important than profits.
Helping Oregonians Recover from Being Scammed
Importantly, it also provides Oregonians with the opportunity to sue these providers to recover the funds lost in a scam. This Oregon House has heard testimony highlighting the significant harm to individuals from a robocall scam.
While the number of scam victims in Oregon may not be high, the impact on the individuals who are scammed is significant and often life-altering. These Oregonians should be able to fight back against predators by holding the gatekeepers accountable for enabling thieves’ access to our lives and wallets.
Preventing Future Scams
HB 2759 gives Oregon additional means to protect our families, friends, and neighbors. It provides a direct remedy for the recovery of funds scammed. But just as important, this bill will discourage providers from entering contracts with robocall scammers.
We urge our legislators to support this bill that will defend Oregonians from the significant, life-changing consequences of these scams. And send the message that this predatory behavior will not be tolerated in Oregon.
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04/25/23 | 0 Comments | CUB Supports Anti-Robocall Bill: HB 2759