Bill would prohibit phone spoofing in Georgia

Georgia might ban telemarketers from using fake or disguised phone numbers.

State Rep. Rick Williams said he'll introduce a bill that would allow a $2,000 fine against anyone who provides inaccurate caller ID information with the intent of defrauding or scamming Georgians.

The practice of robocallers faking their phone numbers has become commonplace across the nation. More than 200,000 complaints about unwanted calls are filed with the Federal Communications Commission each year.

Telemarketers make it appear as if they’re calling from local or familiar numbers in an attempt to make it more likely that people will answer their calls.

"Disguising caller identification does not only pose a risk to the recipients of these calls, but it hurts Georgia businesses whose name and phone numbers are being misappropriated," said Williams, a Republican from Milledgeville.

Similar legislation has been introduced in other states like Nebraska, North Carolina and Texas. It’s also being considered in the U.S. Congress.

The Georgia bill could be considered by the General Assembly when it meets for its annual legislative session starting in January.