Florida officials seek to stop robocallers from misusing real phone numbers

ORLANDO, Fla. — Scammers continue to find new ways to spam Americans with robocalls.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said she is trying to fight illegal robocalls.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

Earlier this year, Moody and other attorneys general led an effort to curb robocalls.

That effort led to phone companies being required to implement a program called STIR/SHAKEN, which checks to see if a phone call comes from a legitimate source before the phone can ring.

Read: Florida attorney general offers 9 tips to guard against fraud

Scam robocalls have dropped nearly 30% since the FCC required large phone companies to begin using this technology in June.

Scammers are now finding ways to get around this current anti-robocall technology and continue to inundate people with scam messages.

Read: Florida Attorney General warns consumers of new scam targeting mobile payments

“Working with the FCC, we have been successful in reducing the number of scam robocalls targeting Americans. Unfortunately, in recent months, scammers have found ways to circumvent the technology created to protect our citizens from fraudulent robocall messages,’ Moody said. “Today, I asked the FCC to continue its efforts to reduce the number of calls by implementing stricter processes on companies that assign and distribute telephone numbers.”

A news release said, “scammers are now trying to circumvent the STIR/SHAKEN program by purchasing access to legitimate phone numbers to conceal their identities.”

Read: Facebook jail: What is it? How to fight back

The FCC proposes a more thorough application process that will require phone companies to verify customers’ identities to help keep phone numbers from being sold, leased or rented to scammers for illegal robocall purposes.

Moody is leading the effort with a letter of support from attorneys general from across the country.

Read: What the end of 3G means for your old phones

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.