Robocalls are a widespread problem that affects millions of Americans every year. Not only are these calls annoying and disruptive, but they can also be used for fraudulent and criminal purposes, putting consumers at risk of identity theft and financial loss. Despite efforts by the US government to combat the problem, tracking down robocallers remains a difficult task.
One of the main challenges in tracking down robocallers is that they often use spoofed phone numbers and fake caller IDs to hide their identity. This makes it difficult for law enforcement agencies to identify the source of the calls and take action against the perpetrators. Moreover, robocallers often operate across state and national borders, making it harder for local law enforcement agencies to pursue them.
The US government has taken several steps to address the issue of robocalls. In 2003, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) established the National Do Not Call Registry, which allows consumers to opt-out of receiving telemarketing calls. However, this registry has proved to be largely ineffective in stopping robocalls, as many robocallers simply ignore the registry and continue to call consumers anyway.
In recent years, the FTC has also brought numerous cases against companies that violate the Telemarketing Sales Rule, which regulates telemarketing practices and prohibits deceptive and abusive calling practices. However, the agency’s limited resources and the difficulty of identifying and prosecuting robocallers have hindered its ability to make a significant impact on the problem.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has also taken steps to combat robocalls. In 2019, the agency passed a rule allowing phone companies to block robocalls by default, without requiring consumers to opt-in to the service. The FCC has also encouraged phone companies to implement caller ID authentication technology, which would help to verify the identity of callers and reduce the number of spoofed calls.
Despite these efforts, the problem of robocalls persists. In 2020, the FTC received over 4.5 million complaints about robocalls, making it the top complaint category for the year. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in robocalls, as scammers take advantage of the crisis to prey on vulnerable consumers.
So what can consumers do to protect themselves from robocalls? Here are some tips:
- Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers unless you are in a position to report them. NEVER give them any real personal information, other than perhaps your first name. If you receive a call from a number you don’t recognize, consider letting it go to voicemail.
- Be wary of unsolicited offers, freebies, and requests for ANY of your personal information. If a caller offers you a deal that seems too good to be true or asks for sensitive information like your social security number or bank account information, it’s a scam.
- Report robocalls to the FTC (coming soon to our app). Even though the agency’s resources are limited, reporting robocalls helps the FTC to track trends and identify patterns of illegal activity.
- Consider using a call-blocking app. SpamBusters will be adding blocking services soon, but it initially focused on penalizing RoboCallers with cash penalties because its more effective than just making them buy a new caller ID number, and we can help people benefit in the process. Until then, there are numerous apps available for both iOS and Android devices that can help to block unwanted calls and identify potential scams.
In addition to taking these steps, consumers can also report robocalls to SpamBusters. By doing so, they can potentially track down the spanners, and potentially recover damages from companies that violate their rights under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. While tracking down RoboCallers remains a difficult task, by taking these steps, consumers can protect themselves from unwanted and potentially harmful calls.
Another major challenge in tracking down robocallers is the sheer volume of calls. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans received nearly 4 billion robocalls in just one month in 2021. With such a high volume of calls, it can be difficult to sift through and identify patterns or specific sources, the truth is, they need help!
Despite all this, the problem of robocalls persists, and consumers must remain vigilant in protecting themselves from unwanted calls. One of the best ways to combat robocalls is to report them, which can help authorities identify patterns and sources of robocalls. Consumers can report robocalls to the FTC, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and to private entities such as SpamBusters.