INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller is warning political campaigns and political groups to adhere to state telephone privacy laws and refrain from robocalling residents leading up to the 2016 General Election on November 8. Zoeller also warns Hoosiers against such calls that are illegal if there isn’t a live operator that obtains your permission before playing a recorded message.
Zoeller’s office enforces the state’s telephone privacy laws and investigates complaints about robocalls and other unwanted calls. His office has received nearly 14,000 complaints about unwanted calls in 2016, a majority of which were about robocalls.
“In Indiana, our Legislature has adopted one of the strictest laws that strictly prohibits the use of auto dialers which can blast out prerecorded messages at a rate of ten thousand per minute.  Just as in past years we are warning campaigns, PACs and political parties not to use this technology used by scam artists,” Zoeller said. “If violated, there are penalties and I will pursue those who chose to disregard the privacy of our citizens.â€
Indiana’s Auto Dialer law, 24-5-14-5(b), restricts the use of technology that automatically dials residential phone numbers and plays prerecorded messages, also called robocalls. The penalty for violating the Indiana Auto Dialer law is up to $5,000 per call.
If campaigns want to play a prerecorded message, a live operator must first have initiated the call and received the recipient’s permission, either by a prerecorded request to leave a message or the recipient must have previously opted into receiving such calls.
If an individual does not want to receive automated political voice mails, they should make it clear in their voice mail or answering machine prompt that they only wish to receive the name and number of the person calling. When a voice mail prompt invites a message to be left, it provides permission for a prerecorded message to be left.
Campaigns and political groups are allowed to make traditional “live†calls, even to numbers registered on the Do Not Call list, as long as the calls are not sales calls.
Zoeller said if someone receives an unwanted campaign call, simply ask to be removed from the caller’s list. To block general telemarketing calls, sign up for the Do Not Call list at www.IndianaConsumer.com or by calling 1.888.834.9969.
Members of the public can also utilize this call-blocking reference sheet for additional call-blocking applications. Frequently asked questions about Indiana’s Do Not Call law can be found here.
Indiana residents who receive a political robocall or any other unwanted call can file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office by visiting www.IndianaConsumer.com or calling 1.888.834.9969.
