DOJ, FTC, FCC Announce Joint Crackdown on Illegal Robocalls
The DOJ, FTC and FCC touted the results of a joint initiative cracking down on a telemarketing operation responsible for billions of illegal robocalls Tuesday. The initiative, Operation Stop Scam Calls, included enforcement actions targeting "lead generators who deceptively collect…
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consumers’ telephone numbers and then provide those telephone numbers to robocallers and others" to facilitate illegal robocalls, said a news release. “The FCC is committed to using every tool at its disposal to crack down on illegal robocalls and protect the US communications network,” said Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan Egal. DOJ noted that the partnerships have led to pursuing about 90 cases against illegal telemarketing operations. “The department and its partners are committed to pursuing those who make and facilitate these calls," said Arun Rao, deputy assistant attorney general-DOJ Civil Division Consumer Protection Branch. "Our collective efforts ... help us to expand our playbook, allowing us to outwit and defeat these perpetrators in their own arena," said Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost (R). Collaboration is "a key component in investigating and prosecuting illegal robocallers," said Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita (R). Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes (D) noted that the "blatant disregard for consumer protection laws will not be tolerated and violators of these laws will be held accountable.” The announcement is "another important step in protecting consumers from illegal and unwanted robocalls," said USTelecom Vice President-Policy and Advocacy Josh Bercu, who's also Industry Traceback Group executive director: "The partnership among federal and state government agencies is producing real results."