Americans officially have an ally when it comes to fighting off telemarketers in their homes and spammers on their cell phones.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved new rules Thursday that allow phone companies to act on behalf of their customers by utilizing new technology to block auto-dialed robo-calls and spam texts. The new rule encourages every telecommunication company to make use of this "do not disturb" technology to benefit the public.

At the same time, a bill before Congress would allow the FCC to increase the maximum fine it can impose on violators from $16,000 to $25,000.

Additionally, if you tell the salesperson on the line to stop calling, they must adhere. In the past, people had to add their names to the government's "Do Not Call" list, either online or by mail. Now, if you tell them to stop calling, they have to take your number off their list.

In one recorded instance, someone wrote to the FCC complaining that he received 27,000 texts in 17 months after he got a new phone number. The new rule states that if you take over someone's old number, telemarketers can only call you once.

(READ more at the Washington Post) – Photo: hyperomer, CC

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