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In 2018 alone, Americans across the country received 48 billion robocalls, including 1.7 billion targeting Ohioans. 

A legislative package crafted by Sens. John Thune (R., South Dakota) and Ed Markey (D., Mass.) — which includes a bill authored by northwest Ohio Rep. Bob Latta (R., Bowling Green) — aims to combat relentless robocalls by increasing the penalties for individuals and companies who flout consumer-protection laws.

It also requires phone companies to authenticate calls so consumers know the number dialing them is real. Specifically, it will combat so-called “spoofed calls,” when scammers try to call using numbers that look familiar but are actually fake.

The legislation, signed by the President on Monday, goes into effect in 2020.

The Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act, or the TRACED Act, includes a contribution from Mr. Latta, the STOP Robocalls Act. Mr. Latta is the top Republican on the U.S. House’s Energy and Commerce Committee’s technology and communications subcommittee.

The STOP Robocalls Act ensures consumers can identify which calls are being blocked, similar to a spam filter in email. It also creates a pathway to stop legitimate calls from being blocked, according to Mr. Latta’s office. It additionally enhances information sharing so the FCC and phone companies have tools needed to fight robocalls.

“Our phones that connect us to the world should be used for good, not for manipulative and illegal spam calls that have tricked countless people out of time and money. The TRACED Act takes significant steps to protect consumers from scams and fraud,” Mr. Latta said.

Illegal robocalls cost Americans billions. In 2016, 22 million Americans lost $9.6 billion in robocall scams, according to Mr. Latta’s office.