New York's two U.S. senators on Monday called for the passage of a bill meant to curtail the wave of nuisance robocalls that hit mobile phones seemingly every hour of the day. 

The bill backed by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer would boost penalties for people and companies that intentionally seek to trick consumers through unsolicited robocalls. 

“From every corner of New York there is one thing everyone can agree upon, and that is the enduring hope that the robocalls stop,” Schumer said. “Americans are desperate to ‘hang up the phone’ and the DO NOT Call Act is the antidote we need to cut the cord on ‘spoofing’ scams that target especially elderly New Yorkers. Whether it’s the landline or cell, no one should be scared to pick up the phone, and I will fight tooth and nail to ensure that New Yorkers can have some peace and quiet from the incessant ringing of robocalls.”

The bill would clarify violations listed under an existing law that currently bans robocalls for consumers, and would create prison terms for up to a year for violating that measure. A prison term of up to three years would be possible for those who repeatedly violate the law and financial penalties would double from $10,000 to $20,000 for falsifying caller ID. 

“Robocalls are surging nationwide as advancements in technology have made it easier for scammers to prey on vulnerable New Yorkers with little to no consequence. Not only is this harmful to consumers, but frankly, we don’t have time for the nuisance and deception,” Gillibrand said. “This vital piece of legislation will give the FCC the tools needed to combat scammers who grossly violate the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and, all too often, target and defraud senior Americans."

The lawmakers said nearly 4.5 billion unsolicited robocalls were reached by Americans in April alone. New Yorkers received 229 million of them, the fifth most-called state in the country. Telemarketing fraud costs up to $40 billion a year, according to one study highlighted by New York Attorney General Letitia James.