A working group comprised of members from different branches of state and federal government lauded the “considerable progress” that has been made in halting the “scourge of unlawful robocalls plaguing the American public” in a report to Congress required under the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act.
Members of the working group include representatives from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Communications Commission, Federal Trade Commission, and the National Association of Attorneys General, among others.
The report breaks down enforcement actions taken by different departments within the federal government, what the FCC has done to combat illegal robocalls following the enactment of the TRACED Act, and what has been done at the state level by attorneys general.
Those efforts undertaken to identify and prosecute illegal robocallers appear to be having an effect. The report noted a drop in the number of robocalls reaching individuals in the United States after the Department of Justice announced a pair of civil actions against Voiceover Internet Protocol companies this past January.
Where does the working group go from here? The report cited more ideas that would involve working with private industry to “more quickly and easily” identify and cut off robocall traffic. As well, more collaboration is needed with foreign law enforcement to shut down call centers from where robocalls are originating. “The Working Group will use all available, lawful tools and relationships to prevent and deter their continuation, especially given that elderly Americans and other vulnerable groups are disproportionately affected by the fraud schemes perpetrated through robocalls,” the report stated.
