FTC and All 50 States Fighting Robocalls Together
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken significant action against scammy robocalls through their Operation Stop Scam Calls initiative, working with law enforcement authorities from all 50 states. This crackdown has targeted operations responsible for billions of illegal telemarketing calls and the sale of over 700 million telemarketing leads to U.S. consumers.
Robokiller, a company involved in stopping robocalls, commends the FTC's efforts, stating that they have successfully shut down well-known robocalls and their facilitators. Notably, the infamous car warranty robocalls, once the top robocall, now account for less than 2% of such calls. The FTC's actions against student loan robocalls have also reduced harmful scams targeting vulnerable populations.
The FTC has focused on companies that use deceptive tactics to obtain consumers' consent for marketing solicitations. Some companies engaged in quasi-consent farming by obtaining consumers' agreement through a single website click, subjecting them to multiple marketing offers, including robocalls. Others deceived consumers into sharing their contact information in exchange for local job listings, which were later used to justify robocalls.
Four out of five charged companies have settled with the FTC, paying substantial fines. Consequently, consumers may no longer receive calls from these companies, and if they do, the pitches will be more transparent. For instance, Vision Solar and Solar Xchange are now prohibited from making false claims about their association with utilities or government agencies and from engaging in abusive telemarketing practices.
While the FTC's efforts are commendable, consumers must remain vigilant due to the persistent nature of robocall-related companies and the increasing prevalence of robo texts. The FTC and Robokiller recommend the following actions to protect against scams:
1. Know your rights: Robocalls trying to sell products or services without your written permission are illegal.
2. Spot illegal robocall scams: Be wary of robocalls claiming to be from government agencies, tech support, or auto warranty companies, as they are likely scams.
3. Hang up on phone scams: If a caller demands payment for a prize or threatens arrest, hang up immediately and avoid pressing any numbers or calling back.
4. Report scams and illegal robocalls: Help prevent scams by reporting them to ReportFraud.ftc.gov and illegal robocalls to DoNotCall.gov.
5. Avoid pressing "1": Refrain from pressing "1" during calls, as it could be perceived as consent for more telemarketing calls by robo companies.
By remaining informed and proactive, consumers can contribute to the ongoing fight against robocall scams.
