LANSING (WWJ) - It seems like they're getting worse and worse, and now the state Attorney General is doing something about it.
Dana Nessel announced Tuesday that her office is joining the Federal Trade Commission and 25 other states in cracking down on robocalls.
"Nothing is more annoying, more intrusive, uninvited and unwelcome than robocalls – and yet, Michigan residents fall victim to an avalanche of illegal calls each day," Nessel said in a statement.
The plan is to target operations around the country responsible for more than a billion robocalls nationwide. As part of the effort, the Attorney General's Office has already hosted 125 consumer education seminars focusing on robocalls and e-scams.
Industry experts estimate that 1.2 billion robocalls were made to Michigan residents in 2018. Experts are estimating residents have already received nearly 700 million robocalls in 2019.
The joint crackdown, dubbed "Operation Call it Quits," is part of the FTC's ongoing effort to help stem the tide of universally loathed pre-recorded telemarketing calls that range from pitching products and services to credit card interest reduction services, money-making opportunities and medical alert systems. The initiative also includes new information to help educate residents about illegal robocalls.
As part of the operation, Michigan's actions include forcing a settlement with Ardent Natural Gas, LLC in March 2019, which resolved alleged violations of the Home Solicitation Sales Act for using robocalls to illegally solicit Michigan consumers.
The operation also includes four new cases and three new settlements from the FTC alone.
"It's time to put a stop to this public nuisance," Nessel said. "I'm happy to join forces with the FTC and several other states to combat the exponential surge in robocalls around the country and bring broader awareness to the ways consumers can fight back."
