• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Editor's Pick Feds announce nationwide crackdown on robocalls and telemarketing scams
Editor's Pick

Feds announce nationwide crackdown on robocalls and telemarketing scams

by July 19, 2023
by July 19, 2023 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

U.S. regulators on Tuesday announced a nationwide crackdown to stop companies from inundating people with billions of unwanted and illegal robocalls and telemarketing calls.

The crackdown, known as Operation Stop Scam Calls, involves the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 101 other federal and state law enforcement authorities, including the attorneys general of all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

More than 180 enforcement actions and initiatives are part of the initiative, including five that the FTC formally announced on Tuesday.

“We don’t know too many people out there who enjoy getting scam calls,” Samuel Levine, director of the FTC consumer protection bureau, told reporters. “A single unwanted call is one too many.”

In addition to targeting telemarketers, the crackdown targets Voice over Internet Protocol providers that facilitate robocalls, which often come from outside the country.

Authorities also want to stop “lead generators” that trick consumers, such as by offering free rewards or job interviews, into providing personal information that can be sold to telemarketers and “consent” to receive unwanted solicitations.

Many victims are on the National Do-Not-Call Registry, which the FTC created in 2003 and contained 246.8 million active phone numbers as of Sept. 30, 2022.

In one of the largest new cases, New York-based Fluent (FLNT.O) agreed to a $2.5 million civil fine and a robocall ban.

The accord resolved charges it operated as a “consent farm” to trick nearly 1 million people a day into getting pitches for extended auto warranties, debt reduction, for-profit education, pain cream, solar energy and other products and services.

Fluent did not admit wrongdoing. In a statement, the company said it shared the FTC’s concerns about robocall technology, and is confident its telemarketing consent practices are legal.

Three of the four other defendant companies agreed to $15.7 million of penalties, some of which will not be paid because they cannot afford it. The fifth company has not settled.

Authorities stressed that no one is immune from robocalls.

“Robocallers are like a plague of locusts,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, a Republican, told reporters. “The attorney general also gets robocalls. It really is universal.”

Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Aurora Ellis and Jonathan Oatis

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Rare Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant rookie jerseys expected to sell for $20 million at auction
  • Analysys Mason’s predictions for the business telecoms market in 2023
  • Mortgage rates hit a 22-year high as demand drops
  • The U.S. economy rolls on, adds 303,000 jobs in March
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
Manhattan DA Bragg announces illegal pot shop crackdown; one store owner fined over $400K
next post
Another New High for the Year?

You may also like

Wall Street expects Trump presidency will unlock deal-making

November 8, 2024

United Airlines expects busiest spring break ever despite travelers’ cost...

March 6, 2024

Walmart to open or expand more than 150 stores

February 2, 2024

Home prices soar even higher in February, despite higher mortgage...

May 3, 2024

Abercrombie & Fitch is investigating abuse accusations against ex-CEO

October 9, 2023

Americans ramped up spending during the holidays despite some financial...

December 27, 2023

S&P 500 closes above 5,600 for the first time, lifted...

July 11, 2024

Fanatics will host a skills challenge between fans and celebrities,...

May 21, 2025

Mortgage rates hit a 22-year high as demand drops

August 18, 2023

Orange juice prices are going through the roof — forcing...

May 31, 2024

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Nvidia results spark global chip rally

      May 30, 2025
    • Boeing to resume airplane deliveries to China next month, ramp up Max production, CEO says

      May 29, 2025
    • Nuclear Power Trio: OKLO, SMR, and CCJ in Focus

      May 29, 2025
    • Analyzing SIL, USO, and NVDA: Could These Bullish Patterns Trigger?

      May 29, 2025
    • E.l.f. Beauty to acquire Hailey Bieber skin care brand Rhode in up to $1 billion deal

      May 29, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,764 views
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,470 views
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 2,450 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,429 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,307 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,104)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,578)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Nvidia results spark global chip rally

      May 30, 2025
    • Boeing to resume airplane deliveries to China next month, ramp...

      May 29, 2025
    • Nuclear Power Trio: OKLO, SMR, and CCJ in Focus

      May 29, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,104)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,578)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Blaize partners with Korea Telecom to...

    January 2, 2023

    Federal student loans this fall will have the...

    May 15, 2024

    What the Ticketmaster-Live Nation lawsuit could...

    May 25, 2024
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here