Bill Would Increase Fines For Robocalls

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A newly introduced bill targeting robocallers would double the penalties on scammers who trick victims into answering phone calls.

Supporters say Americans receive billions of pre-recorded telemarketing calls a year. Robocallers often rely on "spoofing" caller-IDs to mask their true identity and make it appear as though they're calling from the IRS, FBI or other legitimate agencies like police departments.

The bipartisan bill unveiled Wednesday would double the penalties for illegal spoofing from $10,000 per violation to $20,000. The bill would also increase the maximum fine from $1 million to $2 million.

The statute of limitations for such violations would rise from two to three years.

Sponsors include Democrats and Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, who claims Mainers received 93 million robocalls last year.