Yost Among National Group Pushing Against Robocalls

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio attorney general Dave Yost was among the 51 attorneys general encouraging the Federal Communications Commission to work with states and telecommunication companies to trace robocalls to their source.

In December, with the passing of the TRACED Act, the FCC will select a single association to manage the work of tracing illegal robocalls. Since such calls can pass through the network of several telecommunication companies, tracing the call requires collaboration between attorneys general and the companies.

“Every spear needs a tip,” Yost said in a statement. “A call-tracing collaboration between state attorneys general and the telecom players who route the traffic will sharpen our ability to protect Ohioans.”

Since 2018, Ohio has been part of a coalition of 45 states working with the industry to minimize and trace robocalls. In their comments to the FCC, the attorneys general said traceback investigations are needed by law enforcement to identify and investigate illegal robocallers and to expose voice service providers that facilitate the calls.

During the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a surge in robocall-related calls, including those related to relief checks, pitches for testing kits, health-care plans offering testing, fake work-from-home job offers and other scams offering financial relief.

In March, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office launched the Robocall Enforcement Unit. Ohioans can report unwanted robocalls by texting “ROBO” to 888111, visiting OhioProtects.org or by calling 1 800 282 0515.

Pictured: This Aug. 1, 2017, file photo, shows a call log displayed via an AT&T app on a cellphone in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.