The call goes something like this:

“We are calling from Card Services and can help you save money on your credit card. If you would like to obtain a lower interest rate on your credit card, press 1; if you would like to discontinue this call, press 2.”

Out of curiosity, you press 1 and someone comes on the line and asks you to say or punch in your credit card number.

“Wait. You called me. Don’t you have that number?”

Click.

Another example:

“Our records show that the extended warranty on your vehicle is about to expire. It is dangerous for you to be without this warranty. If you would like to extend your warranty coverage, press 1; if you would like to discontinue this call, press 2.”

Again, you press 1. Someone comes on the line and asks for the make and model of your car.

“Wait,” you say again. “You called me. Don’t you already have that information.”

Click.

The game is called “vishing,” and if you hang up the phone before giving out any identifying information, you win. The goal of these scam artists is to get credit card numbers from people who are either gullible or just not thinking straight and tap into their accounts.

Last week, the Kansas Senate passed a bill that would require businesses raising money for charities to say who they are, for whom they’re working and, if asked, what percentage of the donor’s contribution goes to charity. It’s not a bad bill, but it barely scratches the surface in regulating unscrupulous telephone callers.

The day after that bill passed the Senate, the Kansas attorney general issued a warning about “vishing” calls like those described above. It offered some common-sense advice about being careful of offers that are too good to be true and a reminder never to give out personal information over the phone or through e-mail unless you are sure to whom you are talking.

The last piece of advice offered by the attorney general, however, was a bit laughable. It advised Kansans to register home and cell phone numbers on the national Do Not Call list at donotcall.gov. This would presume that people who are trying to steal your credit card number are going to be deterred by your registration on the no-call list. Personal testimony confirms that registering on the no-call list does not stop these calls.

Passing additional laws will not stop scam calls. Modern technology makes it too easy for the scammers to shield the source of the calls and avoid prosecution. Anything that cuts down on solicitation or political calls, even those made by people who are trying to be law-abiding, is a step in the right direction, but what we really need is the technical capability to enforce the existing laws and put the scammers out of business.