TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis praised telephone providers for stepping up to help end robocalls by “authenticating” calls and displaying the caller’s verified number. Additionally, CFO Patronis is challenging all wireless carriers to waive scam ID fees for seniors. 

 

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “Cell phone spoofing calls aren’t just a nuisance, they can cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Last year Americans received 26.3 billion robocalls and reports even suggest that this year nearly half of U.S. cell phone calls will be scams. The news that telecom companies are working together is a giant step toward helping end cell phone spoofing scams.

 

“But we must keep working to stay ahead of criminals. That’s why I am challenging all telephone carriers to immediately waive the scam ID fee for seniors. Some carriers have already stepped up and do not impose these fees. I believe the others should at minimum help safeguard our seniors by waiving these fees. My new Fraud Free Florida initiative is about collaboration—working together to end these scam calls will help fight fraud in our state.”

 

CFO Patronis recently launched Fraud Free Florida, an initiative aimed at better coordinating collective investigative efforts to protect Florida’s large population, especially seniors, from scam artists. Fraud Free Florida joins the ranks of CFO Patronis’ already robust Division of Investigative and Forensic Services (DIFS), which includes the Disaster Fraud Action Strike Team (DFAST) aimed at curbing hurricane-related insurance fraud, as well as his Division of Public Assistance Fraud.