June 4th, 2020 by WCBC Radio

Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh, along with the State Attorneys General Robocall Working Group, today encouraged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to facilitate continued collaboration among state attorneys general and telecom companies to coordinate tracing back illegal robocalls to their source. 

 

Under the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act, which became law in December 2019, the FCC will select a single registered association to manage the work to trace back illegal robocalls.  Because a call can pass through the networks of many telecom companies before reaching its final destination, tracing that call—which is key to enforcing laws against illegal robocallers—requires collaboration among telecom companies and state attorneys general.  In their comments, the states note that traceback investigations are necessary for law enforcement to more efficiently identify and investigate illegal robocallers and expose voice service providers that assist and facilitate illegal robocallers.

 

For the last few years, state attorneys general have encouraged the telecom industry to increase the number and speed of traceback investigations each month.  Many telecom companies have joined this effort and are working hard to stop illegal robocallers.  Traceback investigations are more urgent than ever because of coronavirus-related robocall scams, including scams related to coronavirus relief checks, pitches for coronavirus test kits, health plans offering coronavirus testing, work-from-home offers preying on job-seekers, and scams offering relief on utility bills, student loans, taxes, or other debt.