CALLED OUT

Friday the Federal Communications Commission imposed a record high $120 million fine on Adrian Abramovich for an illegal robocalling campaign. Complaints of unwanted calls have never been higher.

MOREUNWANTEDCALLS?

Have you put your phone number on the Do Not Call Registry but still receive a lot of unwanted calls? There are several reasons for this:

1. Robocalls: Any call with a recorded message is a robocall. There were an estimated 2.4 billion made each month in 2016. Robocalls that are sales pitches are illegal unless you have given written permission to the company. 2. Policing: The Federal Trade Commission has caught and fined many perpetrators such as Abramovich but its enforcement capabilities are much like trying to stop a mosquito infestation with a pair of tweezers. Robocallers can use internet technology from anywhere in the world.

3. Not all recorded messages are illegal. Allowable calls can be from:

• Political campaigns

• Health care providers or pharmacies • Charities

• Emergency responders

• Surveyors

WHATTODO

If you don’t recognize the number, don’t answer and let callers leave a message. If you do answer and it is a robocall, hang up and don’t press any numbers – you’ll just get more calls.

Notify your phone provider or the FTC. Some phone companies might charge a fee to block calls. You can ask them not to. Register any new phone on the Do Not Call Registry and double check to make sure your number is on it.

• donotcall.gov

• 888-382-1222

• Most phone calls stop within 31 days of the registering.