State Attorneys Urge FCC To Curb Robocall Practices
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HARRISBURG, Pa. Attorney General Dave Sunday and a coalition of state attorneys general formally urged the Federal Communications Commission this week to tighten rules limiting scammers' ability to buy and spoof legitimate phone numbers, filing a joint request and participating through the Anti-Robocall Multi-State Litigation Task Force that engaged the FCC in 2021.
On Tuesday, July 7, the National Association of Attorneys General sent a letter to the FCC citing nearly 30 billion robocalls and about $2 billion in consumer losses; states sought stricter oversight of number resale to improve traceability, while the Better Business Bureau emphasized consumer awareness as officials press the FCC to adopt and enforce new rules.
More context
Timeline
- 1. 2021: Anti-Robocall Multi-State Litigation Task Force first engaged with the FCC to address robocalls.
- 2. 2021–2023: States continued coordination and discussions with the FCC on proposed rules and enforcement.
- 3. This week (Tuesday, July 7): National Association of Attorneys General sent a formal letter to the FCC requesting stronger rules.
- 4. Following the letter: States including Pennsylvania and Louisiana publicly reiterated the need to restrict resale of phone numbers and improve traceability.
- 5. Ongoing: The FCC considers rule adjustments while consumer groups advise public awareness and investigators prepare for potential enforcement.
Why it matters
Robocalls aren't just annoying, they can cost you. Scammers often use these calls to trick people out of their money. The FCC tightening rules on phone number resale could make it harder for these scams to happen. Stay vigilant and don't share personal information over the phone unless you're sure of who's calling.
Sources
JQJO Editorial Desk · Human reviewed · AI assisted. Report a correction.
