If you are tired of receiving spam phone calls — or, worse, worried a vulnerable friend or relative may fall victim to such predatory practices — perhaps a lawsuit filed by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost can make a difference.

The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of Ohio, accuses those responsible for billions (yes, with a B) of illegal robocalls of violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and the Telemarketing Sales Rule.

“Our lives are plagued by robocalls like a swarm of flies,” Yost said. “This particular operation prompted more than 1,600 unwanted-call complaints to my office. It’s time to get out the fly swatter.”

Meanwhile, the Federal Communications Commission is sending cease and desist letters to some of the same defendants.

“Billions of auto warranty robocalls from a single calling campaign. Billions!” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “Auto warranty scams are one of the top complaints we get from consumers and it’s time to hold those responsible for making these junk calls.”

These vultures are, according to Yost’s lawsuit, also violating the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act and Telephone Solicitation Sales Act by deceptively representing the subject of the calls, “spoofing” or misrepresenting themselves on Caller ID, and acting as telephone solicitors without having registered as telephone solicitors with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

Perhaps the combined strength of Yost’s office and the FCC will not only bring the masterminds of these schemes to justice, but will bring an end to the deluge of fraudulent calls. In the meantime, it’s a shame to have to say it, but use common sense and caution when answering the phone.

Yost may be breaking out the fly swatter in this case, but there are plenty more pests ready to take their place.