He said Laredo, Victoria and the Rio Grande Valley are the primary targets for these scams. According to Cornyn, these phone scams claim to provide a legitimate long-distance service. Many Hispanic consumers have filed complaints regarding collect calls. Consumers reported that they received calls from long-distance operators asking them to accept charges for collect calls from a person using their same last name.
Callers then pretend to be a relative from Mexico who urgently needs to speak to a family member.
Some consumers are repeatedly targeted. Many consumers claimed not to have accepted the calls but were still billed. Cornyn said that protecting the interest of the Hispanic community in the Rio Grande Valley was a priority he has held since his election in 1998. Since assuming the post of Attorney General, Cornyn already has sued several companies that have targeted Hispanic consumers. Texans will not be swindled on my watch, and honest businesses will not be tainted by scam artists.