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Warning, Orangetown: Robocalls Could Get Even Worse, Schumer Says

Sick of annoying robocalls on your cell phone? Things may be about to get worse if telemarketers and certain political organizaitons have their way. 

Robocalls have been on the rise in New York in recent years.

Robocalls have been on the rise in New York in recent years.

Photo Credit: consumersunion.org
New York State Senator Charles Schumer .

New York State Senator Charles Schumer .

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman

New York Sen. Chuck Schumer is asking the Federal Communications Commission to reject a “ringless voicemail” tool that he says could be used to spam cellphone users’ inboxes. 

Schumer has called on the FCC to end its consideration of a proposed rule change that was filed earlier this year that would allow telemarketers, political organizations and businesses to leave automated voicemail messages without having the phone ring.

The senator warned that the “ringless voicemails” could lead to flooded inboxes, which could present a safety issue if they end up preventing an important voicemail from being received.

Allowing the ringless voicemails would “throw a gas on robocall wildfire,” according to Schumer, who has spoken out against such calls in the past.

Schumer said that the agency should be making efforts to make current laws stronger and not considering “allowing new and different ways for consumers to be overwhelmed by unwanted messages” In a letter to FCC Chairman Aji Pai.

The petition to change the rule was filed by a marketing firm in March, and has drawn the support of both the Republican National Committee and U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

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