In an extraordinary victory against robocalls, the FCC is proposing to levy a massive $300 million fine on Cox/Jones Enterprise. This would be the biggest ever proposed penalty for a warranty scammer! The FCC has been ardently fighting against robocallers and this action proves just how serious they are in their mission to eliminate these nuisance calls. If approved, then it will send out an unequivocal message that fraudsters cannot get away with violating laws made for consumers’ protection!
Robocalls Explained?
For years, consumers have suffered from the plague of robocalls – prerecorded messages that are dialed automatically by a machine. While some callers may be legitimate and authorized to reach out, many are not – especially if they’re trying to sell you something without your permission. With the advancement in technology over recent years, this nuisance has become more widespread than ever before.
Robocalls can be made in two distinctive ways. The first is through the use of autodialers, which are computer-generated programs built to systematically dial a massive amount of phone numbers – frequently utilized by telemarketers and businesses for promotional purposes. Alternatively, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) allows calls to be transmitted over the internet instead of via traditional telephone lines and is usually favored by fraudsters as this technique makes it troublesome to pinpoint where the call originally came from.
Robocalls are often seen as irritating and intrusive, which can be even more egregious when they’re made illegally with the intent to sell products. To guard yourself against these types of calls, there are some easy steps you should take like signing up for The National Do Not Call Registry and being mindful of what could signal a possible scam. Additionally, it’s essential to understand how to report any robocall that you receive.
How Are Robocalls a Problem?
The problem with robocalls is that they are cheap and easy to make, which makes them appealing to criminals who want to defraud people out of their money. Every year, scammers all over the world use robocalls to steal billions of dollars from Americans.
What makes robocalls so difficult to stop is that they can be made from anywhere in the world, using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology. This means that it is very hard for authorities to trace where the calls are coming from and shut them down.
Another issue is that scammers are constantly changing their tactics, so even if you have managed to avoid being scammed in the past, you may not be so lucky next time. One of the most common ways that scammers trick people is by spoofing caller ID information so that the call appears to be coming from a legitimate source like a government agency or a well-known company.
If you do receive a robocall, the best thing to do is just hang up. Do not engage with the caller, even if they say they are from a legitimate organization. Remember, scammers will say anything to try and trick you into giving them your personal information or money.
With all of this said, it’s important to remember that not all robocalls are scams. There are some companies that use automated calls as part of their customer service or marketing efforts. However, these calls should always give you the option to opt-out of future calls, and you should never be asked for personal information like your Social Security number or credit card number.
What is the FCC doing about Robocalls?
The FCC’s proposed $300 million fine against an auto warranty robocall campaign is the largest-ever penalty proposed by the agency over unwanted calls. In the scheme run by two California men, Roy Cox, Jr. and Michael Aaron Jones via their Sumco Panama company and other entities, more than 5 billion apparently illegal robocalls were made to more than half a billion phone numbers during a three-month span in 2021 “using pre-recorded voice calls to press consumers to speak to a ‘warranty specialist’ about extending or reinstating their car’s warranty.”
According to the FCC, the robocalls would typically begin with a message saying that the consumer’s vehicle warranty was about to expire and that they needed to speak to a warranty specialist. If the consumer pressed a key to continue, they would be transferred to a call center where telemarketers would attempt to sell them an extended warranty. The callers allegedly used spoofed caller ID information so that it appeared as if the calls were coming from local car dealerships or from numbers similar to those of the consumer’s own phone number.
The FCC said that the scheme targeted consumers across the country, including many who had previously been on the National Do Not Call Registry. The agency is proposing a fine of $1.32 per call for a total of $300 million, which would be paid by Cox and Jones.
Will Robocalls Ever Go Away?
The eye-opening $300 million penalty on robocallers is a huge victory for all of us who have been affected by their illicit calls. With this noteworthy fine, we can be sure that potential con artists are aware that their actions will not go unpunished. Despite the fact that spammers may already be searching for other techniques to exploit people, it’s heartening to know law enforcement is taking swift action against these criminal acts.
It remains to be seen what other steps will be taken to crack down on robocalling, but this fine is a good start. In the meantime, we can all do our part by being vigilant against these scams and reporting any suspicious calls to the authorities.
While the latest ruling against robocall scammers may slow the practice, it is almost certain that the massive fine will not end criminal attempts to separate unsuspecting victims from their money. Americans were bilked out of almost $30 billion in phone scams between 2020 and 2021. With the potential gains to be made, criminals will always try to stay one step ahead of the law. It is up to the public to remain vigilant and fight back against these sorts of scams.
If you are looking for a business phone solution that is compliant with the latest STIR/SHAKEN mandates to fight against robocalls and unwanted Spam, do your research. Look for a company that is well-respected and has been in the VoIP business for a long time. One such company in Carolina Digital Phone. Based in Greensboro, North Crolina, Carolina Digital Phone has been serving customers for over 22 years and provides the best customer service around. Call them today at (336) 544-4000.