Kentucky Attorney General joins 48-state effort to crack down on scam calls, texts

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman is joining a 48-state effort to crack down on scam calls and text messages.

A bipartisan group of attorneys general is asking the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to tighten rules that would make it harder for scammers to get their hands on legitimate phone numbers.

Scammers will often purchase real phone numbers and use them to make "robocalls" and send texts. Even though the FCC tightened regulations in 2021 to make it hard for people to "spoof" numbers, the problem is still widespread.

The AGs are asking the FCC to require companies that purchase and resell phone numbers in North America to meet strong certification rules. They also want the federal government to block the sale of phone numbers to entities that aren't connected to a calling or texting service and limit free trial phone numbers that scammers can take advantage of.

According to Robocall Index, more than 323 million robocalls were placed to Kentucky during the first six months of this year.

"These con-artists continue to target Kentuckians in hopes of scamming them out of our hard-earned money," Coleman said. "Our office will continue to collaborate with partners who are dedicated to protecting our people."

Click here to read the full letter.