California Attorney General Launches Operation Robocall Roundup to Combat Annoying and Financially Ruinous Calls

Strategic Insights -

California Attorney General Bonta has announced the launch of Operation Robocall Roundup, a multistate, bipartisan effort to crack down on robocalls across the United States. As part of this operation, Attorney General Bonta has joined a coalition of 51 attorneys general in sending warning letters to 37 voice service providers, demanding they take immediate action to stop illegal robocalls from being routed through their networks.

The targeted providers have failed to comply with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules, including responding to government traceback requests, registering in the FCC's Robocall Mitigation Database, or filing a plan to reduce illegal robocalls on their network. The California Department of Justice is also involved in ongoing litigation against Avid Telecom for allegedly initiating and facilitating billions of unlawful robocalls.

Key Takeaways:

  • The California Attorney General's Office has launched Operation Robocall Roundup, a multistate effort to combat robocalls with 51 bipartisan attorneys general participating.
  • 37 voice service providers have been sent warning letters demanding immediate action to stop illegal robocalls, citing failure to comply with FCC rules.
  • The targeted companies have been accused of disregarding rules meant to protect consumers, allowing robocalls onto their networks, and passing them on to downstream providers.
  • The California Department of Justice is involved in ongoing litigation against Avid Telecom for allegedly initiating and facilitating billions of unlawful robocalls.
  • The FCC has removed seven of the targeted providers from the Robocall Mitigation Database, preventing other providers from accepting and routing calls from their networks.
  • Attorney General Bonta has been a vocal advocate for consumer protections, sending warning letters to four telecom companies and submitting an amicus brief to the FCC in support of a rule limiting unwanted robocalls.

Statistics:

  • 51 attorneys general are participating in the Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force.
  • 37 voice service providers have been sent warning letters as part of Operation Robocall Roundup.
  • 37% of Americans reported receiving robocalls every day or nearly every day, according to a 2022 Pew Research Center survey.
  • Robocalls cost Americans an estimated $10 billion annually, with a significant portion of those costs attributed to scams and financial losses.
  • 70% of robocalls were made by scammers trying to exploit victim's personal information, according to the Better Business Bureau.

Sources:

  • California Attorney General's Office
  • Press release by the office of the California Attorney General (April 15, 2024)
  • Pew Research Center (February 2022)
  • Better Business Bureau