Here’s a draft letter to Congress on the issue of unsolicited and spam phone calls targeting elderly individuals:

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Email Address]
[Date]

The Honorable Members of Congress
United States Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Members of Congress,

I am writing to you not only as a concerned citizen, but as a caregiver for my elderly mother. Over the past year, I have witnessed firsthand the increasing number of unsolicited and spam phone calls she receives from businesses and organizations attempting to sell her goods and services—often based on false or misleading information.

These calls are not just a nuisance. They have led my mother to make decisions that are not in her best interest, such as changing insurance plans without fully understanding the consequences, or even giving money to organizations that turned out to be fraudulent. The emotional and financial toll of these interactions is significant.

Moreover, these calls have created tension within our family. Like many older adults, my mother values her independence and does not appreciate being told what to do. When I try to intervene or caution her about these calls, it often leads to disagreements and misunderstandings. This dynamic is not unique to my family; I know many others who are experiencing similar challenges.

Unsolicited calls targeting vulnerable seniors are not only distracting and potentially harmful, but they also erode trust within families and communities. I urge you to take stronger legislative action to protect our elderly population from these predatory practices. Enhanced enforcement of existing laws, stricter penalties for violators, and improved resources for education and prevention are all urgently needed.

Additionally, I respectfully request that Congress consider legislation requiring all unsolicited callers to clearly disclose how they obtained the recipient’s contact information and the original source of that information at the beginning of each call. This transparency would empower individuals to better protect their privacy, make informed decisions, and help families identify and address potential risks more effectively.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I hope you will consider the real-world impact these calls have on families like mine and take meaningful steps to address this growing problem.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Other organizations and legislative efforts advocating for telemarketing transparency, including requirements for callers to disclose how consumer information was obtained, along with the status and outcomes of those requests:

Organizations Advocating for Telemarketing Transparency

1. National Consumers League (NCL) / Fraud.org
   • Details: Since 1992, NCL has operated Fraud.org, a project focused on consumer education and advocacy against telemarketing and internet fraud. They collect complaints and work with law enforcement to push for stronger consumer protections, including transparency in telemarketing practices.
2. Consumer Action
   • Details: This nonprofit provides education and advocacy on consumer rights, including compliance with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). They publish guides and advocate for clearer disclosures and consent in telemarketing.
3. ReportTelemarketer.com
   • Details: This platform allows individuals to report unwanted calls and texts. The data collected is used to advocate for stricter telemarketing laws at the state level. Recent advocacy has led to new laws in Arizona (2024), Connecticut (2023), and Florida (2024) that increase fines and require stricter consent rules.
4. Transparency International
   • Details: While focused broadly on transparency and anti-corruption, this organization also advocates for legislative reforms that increase accountability in business practices, including telemarketing.

Legislative Requests and Outcomes

Federal Level

• Protecting American Consumers from Robocalls Act (S. 3991, 2024)
  • Sponsor: Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL)
  • Details: Sought to expand Do Not Call rules and increase consumer protections. Although introduced in March 2024, the bill did not pass, but its provisions may be included in future legislation.
• Do Not Disturb Act (H.R. 7116, 2024)
  • Sponsor: Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
  • Details: Introduced in January 2024, this bill would require robocallers using AI to disclose the use of artificial intelligence at the beginning of calls and texts. It also proposes stricter penalties for violations involving impersonation and directs the FCC to require VoIP providers to verify customer identities. Status: Pending.
• FCC Rulemaking (2024)
  • Details: In July 2024, the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) considering additional consumer protections, including requiring in-call disclosure of AI use and specific consent for AI-generated calls. Advocacy groups, including the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), filed comments supporting these requirements.
• Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) Amendments (FTC, 2024)
  • Details: Effective May 16, 2024, the FTC amended the TSR to require telemarketers to maintain additional records and prohibit material misrepresentations. While not mandating disclosure of the source of consumer information, these amendments strengthen consumer protections and transparency.

State Level

• Arizona (2024): Enacted $10,000 fines for text message consent violations.
• Connecticut (2023): Adopted stricter opt-in rules and penalties for repeat offenders.
• Florida (2024): Expanded autodialer regulations with $50,000 fines.
  • Details: These laws were driven by consumer advocacy and reporting platforms, reflecting a trend toward stricter state-level telemarketing regulations.

Recent Advocacy Efforts

• National Consumer Law Center (NCLC)
  • Date: July 2024
  • Details: Filed comments on behalf of 26 consumer and privacy advocacy groups urging the FCC to require telemarketers to disclose the use of AI and obtain specific consent, as well as to increase transparency in how consumer data is used.
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
  • Date: May 2024
  • Details: Adopted amendments to the Telemarketing Sales Rule after receiving 26 public comments from various advocacy groups and individuals, reflecting broad support for increased transparency and consumer protection.

Summary of Outcomes:
While federal legislation specifically requiring telemarketers to disclose the source of consumer information has not yet passed, advocacy efforts have led to stronger disclosure requirements, recordkeeping, and penalties for deceptive practices. State-level laws are increasingly filling gaps, and ongoing advocacy continues to push for more robust transparency measures.

What Next?

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