NJ Bill Would Crackdown on Illegal Telemarketing Calls [AUDIO]

If you're like most people you've been getting a lot more calls from telemarketers recently even though you're on the "Do Not Call" list. The legislator who sponsored the bill to create the registry has been getting more calls and he now has new legislation to crackdown on telemarketers who are ignoring the law.

"We've really got to attack this problem," said state Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May Court House). "I'm not saying to spend a whole bunch of money on it and frankly we don't need new laws to punish them more. The laws are there already."

According the bill statement that can be found at www.nj.gov, the legislation requires the director of the Division of Consumer Affairs to establish the unit, which would be responsible for investigating consumer complaints of:

• Unsolicited telemarketing sales calls from unregistered telemarketers.

• Telemarketing calls made in violation of the division's no call list.

• Telemarketing calls in which the telemarketer calling does not promptly identify the person on behalf of whom the call is made or the purpose of the call.

• Telemarketing calls received between the hours of 9 p.m. and 8 a.m.

• Telemarketing calls made using caller identification blocking methods

• Telemarketing calls made to any commercial mobile services device and any other such consumer complaints related to telemarketing practices as determined by the director.

"We need to enforce this law because this is an invasion in people's lives," Van Drew said. "They're working hard, they're tired, they want to eat their dinner in peace, they want to go to sleep at night, they want to be left alone."

The concept behind the legislation is to enforce the strict laws the state already has, according to the senator. He said it is important to have one team that is dedicated exclusively to working on the telemarketing issue.

"Telemarketers are using third-party servers to mask their phone numbers or create fake numbers to show up on caller I.D.," Van Drew explained. "They know how to use technology better. They're getting around the law. We need more focus on it."

If you're not already on the "Do Not Call" list, it's not too late to register. Go to www.donotcall.gov or by call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY call 1-866-290-4236) from the phone number you want to be registered.

The bill was approved Monday by the state Community and Urban Affairs Committee and now heads to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee for consideration.