Robotexts grew 8% between March and April, according to a new report from Robokiller. Robocalls declined 13%, however.
The April drop in robocalls was the third time that occurred in the last three years. However, the historical April slowdown is often followed by a jump the following month, according to Robokiller, which noted that robocalls had jumped 23% in March compared to February.
The trend of robotext growth outstripping that of robocalls will continue, according to Robokiller. The company added that the trend could spike again in the latter half of 2023 as it did last year, especially with another Presidential election on the horizon.
Though the Federal Communications Commission has announced plans to combat robotexts, these efforts will take time to develop and enforce and even more time for consumers to see an impact.
Some robotexts, like those from delivery companies, are legitimate, Robokiller pointed out, noting that delivery-related messages were the most common robotexts for April. Robotexts from financial services firms were the next most popular type of automated message.
Robotexts and robocalls both grew in 2022, and look to increase again this year.
“Robocall volume dropped in April for the fourth consecutive year,” Patrick Falzon, general manager of Teltech, creators of Robokiller, said in a prepared statement about the robocalls and robotexts report. “We’ve noticed this seasonality and relish Americans receiving some reprieve, even if only temporary. No matter the case, we believe ongoing efforts by the FCC to address scam calls and scammers shifting their focus to robotexts will continue to prove useful in reducing robocalls.”
