Video: Presley Asks For Public’s Help In Cracking Down On Telemarketers

NETTLETON, MISS. (WCBI) – The Public Service Commissioner for the Northern District of Mississippi is asking for the public’s help to crack down on telemarketers who he says are nothing more than scam artists.

Commissioner Brandon Presley says many telemarketers are now using a process called “spoofing.”   That allows them to make a number show up on caller ID look as if it’s a local call, or a call from within the United States.

However, many times the callers are out of the country and are trying to gather personal information.   Presley is asking the public to never give out any personal information, but to try and find out the name of the caller or companies, and report them to the Public Service Commission.

“These people are trying to scam you and take money from you,period, they’re not calling to do you a favor, so reporting them to us is the best thing you can do.  We hope again by technology in the fall, we are going to be able to show you when that phone rings that you’re getting called by a scam artist,” Presley said. .

Presley’s office has compiled a list of smartphone apps and software to help slow down the calls.  For more information, call his office at  1-800-637-7722