AG: Robo-call complaints double from 2011

INDIANAPOLIS (WANE) - The amount of complaints for calls violating the "Do Not Call" list have more than doubled, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller told WANE-TV sister station WISH-TV .

Zoeller said the advancement of technology is a reason his office can't fully stop the calls. Robo-calls can make thousands of calls at once to consumers.

"We are losing ground on the battle against robo-calls and scammers," Zoeller told WISH-TV.

Zoeller's office has taken 14,588 complaints between Jan. 1 and Aug. 29. Zoeller estimates 70-percent of the calls are scams. And most of those calls have to do with credit card services.

Zoeller is holding roundtable discussions with telemarketers, consumer protection groups, and elected officials to try and toughen laws and penalties against violators.

Currently, callers in violation of the "Do Not Call" list are penalized $10,000. A second offense carries a fine of $25,000. Zoeller said he expects legislation to come up during the 2013 session of the General Assembly, but he did not elaborate on what that might include.

Consumers who do not want robo-calls or telemarketing calls can sign up for both the federal and state lists. Consumers must be sign up for each list separately.

Indiana "Do Not Call"

Click here to sign up online, or call (888) 834-9969

National "Do Not Call"

Click here to sign up online, or call (877) 382-4357