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Have you noticed lately that you’re getting fewer robocalls?  Yes, way too many calls are still coming, and we’re fully engaged on that issue. But we’re seeing some promising developments. Some recent FTC actions might just have something to do with that. Let’s review. In December 2019, the FTC filed suit against VoIP service provider Globex Telecom for helping scammers run a “reduce your credit card interest rate” con. In January, the FTC sent letters to 19 VoIP providers, warning them that consumer protection laws apply to them, too, and pointing out what could happen if they kept helping scammy telemarketers break the law. Then, just last week, the agency sent nine warning letters to VoIP providers that were helping Coronavirus scammers blast out robocalls during the current health crisis. The VoIP providers that straightened up accounted for billions of calls that we’re all now not getting.

But today, the FTC announced still more warning letters  – this time, bringing partners from the FCC along to double down on enforcement. Three VoIP providers got the warning letters this time, but there’s a twist. This time, the two agencies also sent a letter to US Telecom — the industry’s trade association — that identifies the entities transmitted the illegal robocalls, and, if they haven’t cut it out in 48 hours, says the FCC will authorize providers to block traffic from them. So: either way, two days from now, there should be still fewer illegal robocalls trying to rip people off.

But back to the smaller number of robocalls we’re getting now. It’s actually more than a feeling, as FTC Do Not Call Registry data released today shows. If you check out the data, you’ll see that Do Not Call reports in December 2019 — right after the FTC’s Globex lawsuit — dropped by a whopping 25%, compared to December 2018. (That drop would be even greater except for the government shut-down in 2018 – in fact, calculating the drop based on complaints per day says there was a 32% drop.) And after the January round of VOIP warning letters, reports in February 2020 were more than 30% lower than the previous year. And March of 2020 had 53% fewer robocall reports than March of 2019. So: the FTC lays down the law to a bunch of VoIP providers…and reports of calls drop precipitously. Coincidence? You be the judge. 

Nobody’s taking a full victory lap, because the fight goes on. We know you’re still getting calls. And though there’s a dent in the numbers, the FTC and its partner agencies won’t relent until we’ve won this battle.

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Minnehaha
April 03, 2020
I've received NO robocalls what-so-ever and I am grateful to all that the FTC and FCC have done.
an appreciativ…
April 03, 2020
THANK YOU FTC AND FCC! This is much appreciated for sure.
Paul
April 03, 2020
Good work FTC and FCC folks. Thank you for your service to our Nation and to rid our country from the scammers.
JerseyJoe
April 03, 2020
GOD BLESS THE FTC! It's been a long wait, but well worth it. Keep up with the good work.
TKC
April 03, 2020
Keep up the good work. I have noticed a definite fall-off. Thanks.
Thankful recip…
April 03, 2020
Yes, it is so evident that robocalls are reduced. It's wonderful!
Senior1
April 03, 2020
Please take into account the number of complaints from the public have stopped because it wasn’t doing any good. It take a lot of time to make a complaint and the feeling is the process is fruitless. So instead we who were constantly reporting have just given up and stopped answering these calls
CJS
April 03, 2020
Thank you!!!!!!
jeaniemonte
April 07, 2020

In reply to by CJS

I totally agree that I don''t get any less robocalls, its just that I don't make a complaint because it really doesn't do any good. And its time-consuming, for what??
Thomas261
April 03, 2020
Ten (10 years, i've been receiving robo-calls, mostly from the credit card lower interest type, TEN YEARS, that's enough, I dont know all the details, however, i'm beyond angry
Bob
April 03, 2020
Now they have switched to text messages on cell phones.
Rangeryder
April 03, 2020
Yes, there has been a reduction of robocalls. However, it seems the old ones (that keep on calling) are making the calls with impunity. Having a caller ID on the phone and the "TV screen" easily determines - DO NOT ANSWER. I still do not know how to convey this information to the respective government agency. I even get calls from myself. I & my wife get calls to extend car warranties, home warranties, take trips, etc. And, what about the spam on the emails?
brin3m
February 26, 2021

In reply to by Rangeryder

"I even get calls from myself. I & my wife get calls to extend car warranties, home warranties, take trips, etc." so have we...... weird when you get a call from yourself isn't it.
cbo291
April 03, 2020
Thanks for trying. I got 3 robocalls while I read the article.
A Guptill
April 03, 2020
Yes there are a few less robo calls but now everyday there are at least 3 or more text messages! That was not happening before.
calicatmomDon'…
April 04, 2020

In reply to by A Guptill

I'm definitely getting many more messages from scammers.
Jtelesco
April 03, 2020
We appreciate the efforts made by the FTC and the FCC. We are happy to get back to useable phone service.
lou.sebesta
April 03, 2020
I'll believe it when I see it. Not much better now, in my opinion! L.S.
SherylC
April 03, 2020
I can actually say that my company has noticed this HUGE impact. We have multiple lines that goes to our main desk, so the person at that desk would hang up 10 robocalls a day (more or less), sometimes within ten minutes. For the last couple weeks, it's been refreshing because we can now focus on the calls who matters. I personally am relieved that the FTC has made a dent towards this nuisance. Thank you.
Jcsanderson
April 03, 2020
I still get calls to.lower my interest rate.I think the reduction is due to the virus causing more call centers to close.
LaydeeTee
April 03, 2020
IT'S ABOUT TIME THE FTC PUT SOME TEETH BEHIND THE "Do Not Call" law!!! No matter what we do as consumers, or what our phone service providers do, THE SPAMMERS REFUSE TO STOP. I say "Please FCC! Block all traffic from them!" Then they will see their actions do have consequences, because until now, there was no reason to stop... they've been getting away with it for YEARS.
veteran1963
April 03, 2020
Thank you for continuing to update us on this VERY annoying thing!
cookie
April 03, 2020
Yes, it is true about the robo calls but now instead, I am getting robo texts with stupid stuff on them and people wanting me to text them back or they are obnoxious texts
John Dough
April 10, 2020

In reply to by cookie

1) Do you normally receive a text from anyone? 2) if not, don't open the text, that's minutes lost. That's what I do. Just letting you know that.
Blah1blah
April 03, 2020
Keep up the great work. One day I got zero calls.
Don't use your…
April 03, 2020
I had noted robo calls to my home this past few weeks were down. Now I know why. THANK YOU!
Pavedngold
April 03, 2020
Hello, while I am thrilled progress is being made. We haven’t enjoyed the same results. How about going after the car warranty people, asynchronous? Here’s one of 9 different numbers used to harass us. 919-404-6762. I know the numbers work! I called them twice and requested for the 5th and 6th time to not call my number again as I am absolutely not interested in an extended warranty, and I am on the do not call registry. I finally calmly explained that if they continue, I will sue as I have documented a daily call 9 times since telling them to remove our number. The very next day I got another call from this same outfit. When I expressed my outrage and desire to be left alone without cussing or attacking anyone verbally. I then blocked the number. The next day async called again using the same number as the day before with the exception of the last digit. They are even using the same area code and prefix as our number in an attempt to trick us into answering.
Steve_K2
February 10, 2021

In reply to by Pavedngold

I just got another call from "async" too. They're a plague.
Lorik
April 03, 2020
Glad the FTC is getting tough with robocall scammers and I hope they don't let up. It's about time the Providers are taking heat for this, they have been taking money from the scammers and helping them to break the law and not caring about who gets hurt.
Phonesick
April 03, 2020
Yes! Thank you, thank you. I have noticed a drastic drop in the calls in the past couple of months. Instead of the average two or more an hour I've been getting maybe one a day lately. I can live with that but by all means get them all!!
Aniles
April 03, 2020
Thank you for your determination to protect us all especially the elderly from these scammers. Your service is greatly appreciated..
progmr
April 03, 2020
Thanks for all your hard work. I just wish that I could report spam calls my just entering the phone number and no my life story for each one.
RBVB
April 03, 2020
THANK YOU!! The car warranty the most disgusting, home phone and transcriptions on my cell........but none yesterday or today.
worldman
April 04, 2020

In reply to by RBVB

I got the car warranty call April 3 in the early afternoon. I got the credit card interest rate call on April 1. So these are not being suppressed yet with the FTC actions.
George in St George
April 03, 2020
From the reports, it appears that scammers and those who help them are just getting warned to stop. A lot of time and millions of dollars are being stolen. It seems like the only way to really stop these crimes is to not just stop, but to punish the perpetrators. They should be aggressively prosecuted and then those punishments publicized as a warning to others who might want to do the same things. The cost to them must be greater than the benefits of their bad behavior or this will never stop.
thebushman
April 03, 2020
We need all the help we can get...And if you block out one of them they just use someone else's phone number. And are even using numbers in your home town. .Hopefully this will be something that you can put a stop to....but I do THANK. YOU. for doing all you have done
bigbluemuffin
April 03, 2020
I consider it to be an invasion of my privacy to receive unwanted telephone calls using any methods to make these calls. I hope there is a method to shut down these companies, also make them pay a fine for each phone call.
Ticonderoga. …
April 03, 2020
I also get robocalls on my landline ,and most, but not all, seem to be “spoofed” phone numbers. What can be done on my landline to help me ?
Chyrel
April 03, 2020
I'm a believer - I have had way less! Go FTC - GO!!!
Colorado2
April 03, 2020
Thank you so much for the work you do! These calls wake me up after I have gone to bed and sometimes before I get up in the AM. They are invasive and inconsiderate. I have tried in the past to explain why I cannot give to their cause and they just keep talking over and demeaning me. There are still several during the night but I do believe the numbers are slowly diminishing.
Pleased!
April 03, 2020
Yes, I noticed a substantial reductions in these calls over the last month. Thank you so much!
hellzapopn
April 03, 2020
BRAVO!!! I have noticed a HUGE drop in the number of robocalls and wondered why that was. I'm so appreciative of your efforts.
Evelyn
April 03, 2020
Thank You for all the work you do for us. When the phone rings and I don’t know the number, I don’t answer. No voice message, they get blocked. On email messages, I just delete them.
Majuba
April 03, 2020
Good work, keep it up, and don't be discouraged by an increase with all the quarantined folks working at home.
Shamrock
April 03, 2020
Can we please get rid of the "verify your business on Google" calls. I get at least one a day.
lrjck
April 03, 2020
Sorry - since pandemic, we're getting an increase in robo calls. Sheriff is on the way to our house to arrest us for this and that, credit problems, friend needs money, and so on. We have caller ID, so we don't pick up unless we recognize caller/or number.
pboxman
April 03, 2020
Thank you for reducing the robo calls. They are a cancer in this nation.
MaryLee
April 03, 2020
recently many from female voice, Are you the one who pays your electric bills:?
Ray Taylor
April 03, 2020
I've been quietly fighting robocalls for years and am very heartened by your posting. Keep up the good work!