Consumer Reports, Consumer Action, Consumer Federation of America, National Association of Consumer Advocates, and the National Consumer Law Center on behalf of its low-income clients submitted comments in response to the Federal Communications Commission’s (“FCC” or “Commission”) pursuant to the Protecting Consumers from One-Ring Scams proceeding, on how to best protect consumers from so called “one-ring” scam calls, and the related Pallone-Thune Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act proceeding, regarding how to approach voice service providers granted an extension to comply with the TRACED Act but are originating scam calls.
Swift action is important, especially in light of the COVID-19 crisis, which has opened new opportunities for scammers. To help stop scam and other unwanted calls, the FCC should:
- Require all voice service providers to provide three levels of call blocking options: opt-out screening of scam calls, including those identified as likely one-ring scam calls, opt-in to more comprehensive technologies to block spam calls, and personal blacklists, all at no additional cost to subscribers, consistent with the TRACED Act;
- Require all voice service and gateway providers to adopt traceback and know-your-customer procedures, including, but not limited to:
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- Registering with the FCC;
- Providing information as requested to all traceback efforts;
- Declining traffic from identified bad actors; and
- Keeping records of all calls for the full four years of the TCPA’s statute of limitations.
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- Regularly evaluate providers granted a delay under the TRACED Act, no less than once a year, but more often if the need becomes apparent.