Legislature should address robocalls

For the past two weeks, I have been getting automated calls (aka “robocalls”) several times a day starting at 8 a. m. and continuing until 8 or 9 p. m. for a lady named Phyllis. Apparently Phyllis once had my number; but I currently have the number and have done so for the last four years. Citibank’s robocall says it is “very important” that the listener call a specific 800 number to discuss a “Shop Your Way MasterCard” account.

I fail to comprehend how this matter could be important because when I called that number Citibank would not let me talk to a representative unless I had the password for a protected extension. The password required a Capital One account number. It was shrewd of the bank to protect itself from unwanted calls — such as mine — to inform the bank that it is harassing the wrong household over a credit card.

I understand our Legislature is meeting now supposedly “to do the people’s business.” Perhaps, instead of working on hot-button non-issues this year, they might regulate robocalls as other states have done. For instance, the Legislature could start by requiring all calls to residential numbers be made by real people who have the knowledge and authority to discuss and fix the issues raised by their call. Maybe listening to each other and discussing solutions might come back into vogue?

William Wines

Marion