Telemarketers soon targeting your cell

(WPRI) - Attorney Generals nationwide are sending telemarketers a message loud and clear, "Don't call us, we'll call you."

A new bill may make it legal for robo-calls to be made to your cell phone.

Mike Morrissey from the RI AG's office says, "It's being driven primarily by debt collectors and industries who want to do robo-calls."

Telemarketers say their business is suffering since 40% of Americans say their primary phone is their wireless phone.

As it stands right now, telemarketers are prohibited from using robo-calls on your cell phone, but they may change.

The Mobile Informational Call Act of 2011 would allow for robo-calling to all cell phones, leaving consumers to foot the bill, especially those who pay by the minute.

"A lot of people aren't on fixed plans, they get charged for every call they receive."

Right now, robo-calls are only allowed if the customer has given the company written permission. But, the new bill would allow robo-calls without your permission.

And that, according to attorney general's nationwide is a direct assault on your cell phone privacy.

"So, if you've done any transaction like happened to call a debt collection agency, that because you had a transaction you're giving them permission to call you anytime."

The bill would also take away the state's ability to enforce their more strict laws against robo-calls.