AG Peterson continues efforts to fight robocalls, phone scams

You’ve probably gotten robocalls.

Nebraska’s Attorney General Doug Peterson said they’re more than an annoyance: they harass and scam consumers.  He said robocalls are the most frequent complaint his office receives.

Peterson was in Washington, D.C. this week, where he and other attorneys general were urging congress to support a bill that would launch a nationwide effort against these calls.

“We delivered that letter, said ‘look, this is an issue we all deal with in our states and federal legislation on this issue would be very helpful,'” Peterson said.

Back home, State Sen. Steve Halloran has a bill that would ban callers from sending fake caller ID numbers that look like they’r local numbers when trying to scam people.

Peterson said he admires Halloran’s efforts, but that he doesn’t know how enforceable his bill would be if passed.

“I think when you deal with our interstate phone system, federal legislation probably is really going to be more effective than state,” Peterson said.

He said his office is trying to educate Nebraskans on how to prevent scams, including for the elderly, whom he said get targeted more.

The best thing you can do is not pick up the phone if you don’t recognize the number.  Peterson said robocallers and scammers rarely keep calling a number if it keeps going to voicemail.  He also said scammers are very persuasive people, so it’s best not to start a conversation with them.

For more information on how to deal with robocalls, or if you want to report a scam visit: https://protectthegoodlife.nebraska.gov/