Florida AG Proposes Anti-Spam Law Targeting AI Voice Scams

Florida targets AI-powered impersonation schemes

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced proposed legislation Thursday aimed at combating the surge in spam communications and artificial intelligence-generated voice scams, particularly those involving fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officials to extract money from victims.

The Florida Anti-Spam Communications Act would grant Uthmeier's office independent authority to investigate and dismantle these schemes without requiring additional approvals. Speaking in Pembroke Pines, Uthmeier emphasized the personal nature of the threat, acknowledging that members of his own family have fallen victim to such scams.

Prosecution efforts already yielding results

The Attorney General's statewide prosecution team has already made significant progress against fraudsters, according to Uthmeier. In the past year alone, prosecutors have secured convictions resulting in jail time for offenders and recovered approximately $10 million for victims. Senior assistant statewide prosecutor Taylor Chatting helped lead these enforcement efforts.

Uthmeier urged Florida residents to immediately disconnect suspicious calls—using the phrase "Don't be shy, say goodbye"—and report incidents to enable prosecution of offenders.

Why it matters

As generative AI tools become more accessible, voice cloning and impersonation scams are escalating beyond traditional spam. State-level enforcement frameworks may move faster than federal regulation, creating a patchwork of AI fraud laws that businesses operating across state lines will need to navigate. Florida's approach of combining immediate investigative authority with mandatory sentencing could become a template for other states.

Broader AI legislation expected

Uthmeier indicated that Florida lawmakers are likely to advance a comprehensive artificial intelligence legislative package during the upcoming session. He expects the package to include substantial penalties specifically for using AI technology to defraud consumers, particularly when scammers impersonate government entities or officials.

"There needs to be mandatory jail time" for those impersonating agencies such as the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, toll authorities, or sheriff's offices, Uthmeier said. The proposed measures would impose heightened punishments when AI is deployed in fraudulent commercial activities.

While expressing support for federal AI regulation, Uthmeier stressed that state leaders cannot wait for congressional action. The urgency reflects growing concerns about AI's role in enabling sophisticated fraud schemes that can convincingly mimic trusted voices and institutions.

The details were first reported by Spectrum News 13 in Orlando.