By Madina Toure
Legislation co-sponsored by state Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Fresh Meadows) giving regulators a new tool to pursue anonymous telemarketers operating in New York was passed last week in the state Assembly.
The bill bans telemarketers from communicating inaccurate, misleading or false caller identification information to consumers.
“Telemarketing calls have become a major quality-of-life issue in Queens and elsewhere, because anonymous calls just won’t stop ringing off the hook,” Rozic said. “This is especially problematic for consumers who have signed up for the do-not-call registry, since without the name or number of the telemarketer, it is difficult to report violations.”
The legislation, which is awaiting Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s signature, would become effective immediately should it be signed into law.
Under current state law, telemarketers are not required to dispatch the correct caller identification information to consumers, but any telemarketer who transmits incorrect caller identification information may be subject to a fine.
Reach reporter Madina Toure by e-mail at mtour
