Unsolicited calls, which encompass illegal and spoofed robocalls, stand as the FCC's foremost consumer grievance and our primary focus in consumer protection.

These complaints involve instances where consumers' numbers are being falsified or where calls are mistakenly flagged or blocked by robocall prevention applications or services due to suspicion of scam activity.

The FCC is dedicated to shielding consumers from such unwelcome experiences and is taking decisive action against illegal calls through various measures :

  1. Imposing hefty fines and enforcement actions totaling hundreds of millions of dollars against illegal robocallers.
  2. Granting authority to telephone companies to proactively block illegal or undesired calls based on sound call analysis before they reach consumers.
  3. Providing consumers with options for tools to block calls originating from numbers not listed in a customer's contacts or other designated "white list."
  4. Mandating telephone companies to implement caller ID authentication to mitigate illegal spoofing.
  5. Making consumer complaint data accessible to facilitate the development of more effective call blocking and identification solutions.

Consumer Advice for Halting Unwanted Robocalls and Evading Phone Scams

  1. Avoid answering calls from unfamiliar numbers. If you accidentally pick up, terminate the call immediately.
  2. Beware of spoofed calls. Even if the caller ID displays a "local" number, it may not be a local caller.
  3. If a caller or a recording prompts you to press a button to cease receiving calls, simply hang up. Scammers often utilize this tactic to identify potential victims.
  4. Refrain from answering any questions, particularly those that can be answered with "Yes."
  5. Never disclose personal information such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, passwords, or other identifying details in response to unexpected calls or if you harbor suspicions.
  6. If someone claiming to represent a company or government agency contacts you, terminate the call and verify their authenticity by calling the number provided on your account statement, in the phone book, or on the official website.
  7. Exercise caution when pressured for immediate information.
  8. Set a password for your voicemail account to prevent unauthorized access, as some services allow access from your own phone number by default.
  9. Consult your phone company regarding available call blocking tools and explore downloadable apps for your mobile device to block undesired calls.
  10. If utilizing robocall-blocking technology, inform the provider of numbers generating unwanted calls to facilitate blocking for yourself and others.
  11. To deter telemarketing calls, register your number on the Do Not Call List, which legitimate telemarketers consult to avoid contacting registered landline and wireless numbers.