OAKBROOK TERRACE – To prevent residents from being misled by phone scams, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) has advanced an initiative with bipartisan support to outlaw scam call operators from disguising their identity by having a false telephone number show up on caller ID.  

“As technology advances, scammers use creative, deceitful tactics to trick residents into giving them personal information,” Glowiak Hilton said. “By prohibiting automated solicitors from falsifying caller ID, I hope to protect residents from falling victim to telephone scams.”

In Illinois, the Telephone Solicitations Act requires a live operator to state his or her name, the organization they are representing, and the purpose for the call. The law also prohibits a solicitor from manipulating caller ID, commonly known as spoofing.

Current state law does not address when the caller is not a live operator.

To protect consumers, Glowiak Hilton’s initiative requires the operator of any soliciting telephone call to immediately state the affiliated business and the purpose of the call, and to confirm consent from the receiver.

“Deceitful business practices like spoofing are shameful,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Call authentication is critical for protecting consumers against scammers who mask their identity and intentionally seek to defraud vulnerable residents.”

Senate Bill 2225 passed the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee Thursday and moves for further deliberation before the full Senate.