MADISON (WKOW) -
The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau (BBB) says it has been receiving calls and letters from consumers across America about unsolicited "robo calls" to their home and cell phones.
Over the past ten days, the BBB has received 17 letters and dozens of phone calls from consumer complaining about these continual and harassing calls.
The recorded messages offer lower credit card interest rates, and consumers report that when you "press 1 to speak with a representative", the caller hangs up.
Some of the calls appear to be coming from "Card Holder Services", but there is no such company in Wisconsin at the phone number that the calls are allegedly coming from.
In addition, one of the reported phone numbers that the calls appear to be coming from was a cell number a Fond Du Lac family used seven years ago, but is no longer current. As a result, the family is now receiving harassing phone calls from angry consumers. They told the BBB via letter that they "are not the responsible party for the harassing phone calls." In fact, the BBB says the family is working with the state, local law enforcement, and the FCC in an attempt to get to the bottom of this situation.
Likely, the perpetrator behind the calls is using a call "spoofing" mechanism. Spoofing is the practice of causing a telephone device to display a number on the recipient's caller I.D. that is not the actual originating phone number. It is accomplished by using a spoofing device or software mechanism.
If you receive such a phone call, the BBB recommends that you report the call to the Federal Trade Commission, at www.ftccomplaintsassistant.gov
Also, check with your cell phone provider. Many providers allow phone numbers to be blocked from calling you, at no additional charge.
