New Jersey may get tougher on ‘Do Not Call’ violators

A bill passed by the New Jersey Assembly could help stop those annoying, unwanted calls from telemarketers.

Assemblyman Dan Benson said telemarketers are violating the law by making sales calls to people on the do-not-call list. “But as individuals we don’t have the ability to go figure out who this is, to do that legwork. All we want to be able to do is have a place where we can call ask for help and then try to find ways to shut down these just bad actors.”

The bill, that’s awaiting action in the state Senate, would establish a telemarketing fraud unit in the Division of Consumer Affairs.

Benson said that would empower the state to go after telemarketers that make misleading calls to consumers. “They’re saying oh your family member has ordered you something or you have a family member that is in danger. They’re saying that you owe money for your utility bill, send this by wire. All these things you know as much education you can do, if there’s not enforcement from authorities we’re not going to able to stop this. So that’s why we’re setting up this unit.”