FTC Reports 50% Drop in Spam Call Complaints Since 2021

Federal Trade Commission Reports Significant Drop in Telemarketing Complaints

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently announced a notable decrease in consumer complaints regarding unwanted telemarketing calls for the third consecutive year. Reports have plummeted by over 50% compared to 2021, indicating effective government interventions to tackle the vexatious issue of telemarketing and phone scams.

Key Statistics from the FTC

During the 2024 fiscal year, there were approximately 33,000 fewer complaints about unsolicited calls compared to the previous year. This reduction spans a variety of unwanted call categories; however, it's noteworthy that complaints about debt reduction calls surged by more than 85% within the same timeframe.

FTC's Response to Illegal Telemarketing

According to Sam Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, while illegal calls remain a serious problem, strategic actions taken by the agency have played a crucial role in the significant reduction of these complaints. The FTC has adopted a proactive approach, targeting "upstream players" and enhancing the agency's capacity to tackle new and emerging threats in telemarketing.

Measures Implemented by the FTC

• Crackdowns on illegal telemarketing practices.
• Rules prohibiting the impersonation of government and businesses.
• Clarification that the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) is applicable to scams employing AI technologies.

Recent Actions Against Telemarketing Scams

In the previous year alone, the FTC took decisive actions, including banning extended vehicle warranty scams, following the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) proposal of a $300 million fine against one such campaign.

Role of the FCC

The FCC also contributed to combating telemarketing scams through various initiatives. Major U.S. mobile carriers have begun implementing an anti-spoofing protocol aimed at ensuring that the phone number displayed on consumers' caller ID corresponds accurately to the calling number. Furthermore, the FCC has:

• Banned AI-generated robocalls.
• Intensified scrutiny of robocallers and robotexts that do not provide a means for users to opt-out.
• Mandated that cellular carriers block likely illegal robotexts.

Conclusion

The combined efforts of the FTC and FCC reflect a robust commitment to tackling the issues surrounding telemarketing scams and unwanted calls, leading to a more secure communication environment for consumers.

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