Alaska, California, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Washington have joined states that previously announced Memoranda of Understanding with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in joint efforts to combat robocall scams. More than half of the states now have such agreements with the FCC, according to the commission.
The FCC is continuing to be more proactive in its attempts to combat the growing robocall problem, requiring new defenses like STIR/SHAKEN, and imposing large fines. In February, the FCC issued its largest fine to date against a company conducting illegal robocalls.
The FCC is also reaching out to states that haven’t already done so to sign similar MOUs with the regulator. Under terms of the MOUs, the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau and state investigators seek records, talk to witnesses, interview targets and examine consumer complaints, along with taking other critical steps to build a record against those violating robocall rules.
“These partnerships can provide critical resources for building cases and preventing duplicative efforts in protecting consumers and businesses nationwide,” the FCC said in its press release.
“It shows that we are united when it comes to fighting robocalls—urban, rural, north, south, east, and west,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, in a prepared statement. “Today I invite every state and U.S. territory to join this effort and establish information sharing and cooperation structures with the FCC so we can work together to investigate and put an end to spoofing and robocall scam campaigns.”
Less than two weeks ago, six other states and the District of Columbia announced their own robocall MOUs with the FCC.
