National sweep cracks down on nearly 100 scam call operations

FRANKFORT, KY. (WTVQ) – The Kentucky Office of the Attorney General announced a major crackdown on operations responsible for more than 1 billion scam calls across the country.

The joint effort, “Operation Call it Quits,” involved federal, state and local enforcement actions against more than 94 illegal scam call operations across the U.S.

Among the operations being targeted in the crackdown: First Choice Horizon LLC, 8 Figure Dream Lifestyle, Media Mix 365, LLC.

The attorney general says the operation includes four new cases and three new settlements from the FTC, bringing the FTC’s total actions against illegal robocallers and Do Not Call (DNC) Registry violators to 145, and 87 enforcement actions from other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

The effort also includes an educational campaign to help people properly respond to and avoid scam calls.

Among the tips to avoid scam calls:

• Don’t Trust Caller ID: Scammers may call from out-of-state, but use technology to “spoof” local phone numbers to try and trick Kentuckians into answering.
• Don’t Answer: The best way to avoid scams and robocalls is to not answer calls from unknown phone numbers. If it is important, the caller will leave a message and you can call them back.
• Hang up on Prerecorded Messages: If you do answer the phone and hear a prerecorded message, hang up; it is likely a scam call. If you press any numbers or participate in the call in any way, you might become a target for more calls.
• Use Call-Blocking Technology: Call-blocking technology offered through your phone carrier, internet service provider, call-blocking devices or downloadable apps can help stop most scam calls.