I’m not sure how (and whether) this makes phone carriers liable except insofar as making reports about what steps they are taking to stop auto warranty robocalls, but it’s a step in the right direction.
The FCC’s Robocall Response Team today announced that the Enforcement Bureau has ordered phone companies to stop carrying traffic regarding a known robocall scam marketing auto warranties. The calls are coming from Roy Cox, Jr., Aaron Michael Jones, their Sumco Panama companies, and international associates. Building on FCC action earlier this month, all U.S. voice service providers must now take all necessary steps to avoid carrying this robocall traffic. This operation is also the target of an ongoing investigation by the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau and a lawsuit by the Ohio Attorney General.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel:
“We are not going to tolerate robocall scammers or those that help make their scams possible. Consumers are out of patience and I’m right there with them.”
What’s New:
The Enforcement Bureau has ordered all U.S. voice service providers to take all necessary steps to avoid carrying robocall traffic from the Cox/Jones/Sumco Panama operation. Today’s order followed a Public Notice that warned providers of this concerning flood of robocalls. The notice had authorized providers to cut off the traffic and today’s order requires that they do so. If they do not, they must regularly report to the FCC of the steps they have taken to mitigate the traffic.
“Now that U.S. voice service providers know the individuals and entities associated with this scheme, the Enforcement Bureau will closely monitor voice service providers’ compliance with this order and take appropriate enforcement action as necessary,” said Acting FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan A. Egal.
Hooray for the Biden administration if this works.
You can read the rest of the FCC’s statements about the change here.
