Consumers will be able to buy call-blocking services in the future to try and prevent robocalls and phone scams. The FCC has ruled that phone companies must offer the services to consumers.
Joe Bindbeutel with the Missouri Attorney General’s office says the ruling will go a long way for consumers.
“It will allow consumers to decide who gets to call them. The phone will no longer be just an open vessel which every telemarketer can use.”
Bindbeutel says there’s a market for the services.
“A lot of consumers want these calls to stop and they are willing to obtain the kind of technology it takes to stop these unwanted, repetitious and harassing calls.”
Bindbeutel says he’s not sure when phone companies will have to start offering the services to consumers, but his office is calling on phone carriers to act quickly. He believes there’s a significant demand for these services and consumers will drive down the cost.
Bindbeutel says his office receives about 50,000 complaints a year from Missourians who are on the Do Not Call registry.
