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Most phone companies haven't done enough to stop robocalls, report says

koowipublishing.com/Updated: 31/10/2024

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Robocalls are down but robotexts are up

By Dieter Holger of ConsumerAffairs
October 31, 2024

Most phone companies haven't fully installed technology to stoprobocalls despite a law requiring they do so, a new report says.

The Federal Communications Commission phasedin a rule requiring companies to fight robocalls with software, equipment and other means, starting with the largest companies in 2021and smaller companies by 2023.

Yet only 47% of phone companies have completely installed anti-robocall technology as of October and 19% have the technology in just part of their system,according to an analysis of FCCdataby nonprofit U.S. PIRG Education Fund.

Major providers whoonlypartially have anti-robocall technology in place include AT&T, Cox and Spectrum, U.S. PIRGsaid.

The typical robocall, a pre-recorded voice message advertising something or trying to get someone to sign up for a scam, has been illegalsince 2009 for customers who didn't agree to receive the calls in writing.

In 2023, around 56 million Americans lost money to scam calls, according to Truecaller.

Still, some progress has been made on robocalls.

Scam robocalls and illegal telemarkting calls have dropped 17% since the federal law went into force in 2021, U.S. PIRG said.

But robotexts are on the rise

The number of scam robotexts has nearly tripled since 2021, which U.S. PIRGsaid is a sign of how some bad actors are moving away from calls to the less-regulated arena of text messages.

Scam texts can sometimes be even worse than robocalls, U.S. PIRGsaid, because peoplenot be able to avoid seeing a lie that can trick them, there are fewer clues it scam such as mispronouncing names and it is easy to click on bad links.

Tipsforavoiding robocalls and robotexts

U.S. PIRGsaid there are a few simple steps to avoid getting robocalls and robotexts.

  • Do not call list: Sign up for the national do not call registry athttps://www.donotcall.gov/. This won't stop all unwated calls but will give you rights to take more action if or when you do get them, U.S. Pirg said.
  • Report: Send in reports about bad actors the FCC, the FTC and your cellphone provider.
  • Don't engage:Never respond, click on links or engage in any with robocalls or robotexts since this could have even more getting sent your way.

 

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