Want to stop robocalls? There's an app for that

PrivacyStar app allows consumers to block unwanted calls, file complaints

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. ā€“ More people complain about robocalls to the Federal Communications Commission than anything else.

Some pesky telemarketers and debt collectors ring consumers' cell phones, even if they are registered on the do not call list. Annoying? Yes. Illegal? On occasion, yes.

The "Call Christina" team caught up with attorney Scott Owens, who specializes in protecting consumers from annoying robocalls and texts. He said those found in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act can face penalties of up to $1,500 a call.

Owens advises consumers to document all messages and call logs.

"The FCC has reaffirmed that you can stop these calls by simply asking them to stop. No one is beholden to a telemarketer or even a creditor just because you provided them with a phone number," said Owens. "You can always ask them to stop calling you. Sometimes, however, simply saying stop is not enough, which is what the FCC is aiming to bring to a halt."

READ: Strengthen consumer protection against unwanted calls and texts

Owens said the Federal Communications Commission took the expansion of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act another step further, fighting technology with technology, allowing them to say: "There's an app for that."

The app, PrivacyStar allows consumers to call block, and has automatic scam blocking, color coded caller ID to spot potential scammers and repeat offenders, Ā as well as a complaint filing service.

In a Skype interview, Jeff Stalnaker, President of PrivacyStar said that the best solution is to make it so you don't receive calls at all, which is where the PrivacyStar app comes into play.

"The best way to stop this is to cut them off at the pass so to speak, and if we know that that's all they're up to, and we can block them so your phone never rings, that's the better solution," Stalnaker said.

The PrivacyStar app can be found in the Google Play store, but is only available for Android users. They are working on expanding across other platforms.

Details and a further description of the app can be found in the Google Play store.

Click here to view information about the app on YouTube.

For more information on the Telephone Consumer Protection Act:

New TCPA changes going into effect soon -- What they mean.

FCC ruling potentially expands scope of TCPA.

FCC votes to give consumers the right to block annoying spam robocalls and texts.

How to report robocalls:

-- Keep written log of incoming robocalls/texts

-- Do not delete cell phone records

-- File a complaint with the FTC and FCC.

Click here for information about Florida Do Not Call.

Click here for information about National Do Not Call.

The new FCC rulings "provide much needed clarity for consumers and businesses," a June news release stated. Highlights for consumers who use either landline or wireless phones include:

Green Light for "Do Not Disturb" Technology

ā€“ Service providers can offer robocall-blocking technologies to consumers and implement market-based solutions that consumers can use to stop unwanted robocalls.

Empowering consumers to say stop

ā€“ Consumers have the right to revoke their consent to receive robocalls and robotexts in any reasonable way at any time.

Reassigned numbers aren't loopholes

ā€“ If a phone number has been reassigned, companies must stop calling the number after one call.

Third-Party Consent

ā€“ A consumer whose name is in the contacts list of an acquaintance's
phone does not consent to receive robocalls from third-party applications downloaded by the acquaintance.

Additional highlights for wireless consumers include:

Affirming the law's definition of autodialer

ā€“ "Autodialer" is defined in the act as any technology with the capacity to dial random or sequential numbers. This definition ensures that robocallers cannot skirt consumer consent requirements through changes in calling technology design or by calling from a list of numbers.

Text Messages as Calls

ā€“ The commission reaffirmed that consumers are entitled to the
same consent-based protections for texts as they are for voice calls to wireless numbers.

Internet-to-phone text messages

ā€“ Equipment used to send Internet-to-phone text messages is an autodialer, so the caller must have consumer consent before calling.

Very limited and specific exemptions for urgent circumstances

ā€“ Free calls or texts to alert consumers to possible fraud on their bank accounts or remind them of important medication refills, among other financial alerts or healthcare messages, are allowed without prior consent, but other types of financial or healthcare calls, such as marketing or debt collection calls, are not allowed under these limited and very specific exemptions.

Also, consumers have the right to opt out from these permitted calls and texts at any time.

Today's actions make no changes to the Do-Not-Call Registry, which restricts unwanted telemarketing calls, but are intended to build on the Registry's effectiveness by closing loopholes and ensuring that consumers are fully protected from unwanted calls, including those not covered by the Registry.

The Florida Attorney General's Office and 44 other state attorney generals are now calling on At&T, Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile and CenturyLink to offer call-blocking technology to their customers.

Follow Christina Vazquez on Twitter @CallChristinaTV

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