The FCC has taken a groundbreaking stance against the robocall scourge by proposing an unprecedented $300 million fine against Cox/Jones Enterprise, making it the biggest penalty ever imposed on an auto warranty scammer! This decision clearly demonstrates that the FCC will not tolerate such fraudulent activity and is taking drastic measures to send a powerful message. If approved as proposed, this colossal penalty would certify beyond any doubt that these types of wrongdoings are unacceptable and gravely punishable.
Understanding Robocalls
In the last couple of years, automated robocalls have become an ever-growing irritation due to updated technology. While some may be valid, others that make attempts to sell a product without your approval are considered unlawful. To safeguard yourself from unsolicited sales pitches, it is essential to remain watchful against potential deceptions.
Companies often rely on powerful autodialers, computerized systems that dial multiple numbers to market their services and merchandise. Unfortunately, fraudulent groups take advantage of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology as well – these calls are harder for authorities to trace since they originate from the web. Robocalls can be made in a number of ways thanks to this dangerous combination of tools.
Don’t let yourself be taken advantage of by intrusive, and potentially illegal, robocalls. There are plenty of you can take to protect yourself—such as signing up for the National Do Not Call Registry or quickly identifying a scam call when it occurs. By taking preventative action now, your peace of mind will remain intact in the future!
Why So Many Robocalls?
Robocalls are a continuous threat to unsuspecting Americans, with scammers stealing billions of dollars each year due to their cheap cost and accessibility. As a result, criminals find robocalls too tempting an opportunity as they allow for quick profit-making.
The struggle with robocalls is that they employ VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology, making it highly unlikely to trace or terminate the calls since they can be made from any part of the globe.
Scammers are becoming more and more cunning, which means that even if you have been able to avoid deception in the past, it does not necessarily mean that will be true moving forward. One of their most popular tactics is trying to manipulate caller ID data so as to trick people into believing they’re receiving a call from an official organization or reputable company.
If you do receive a robocall, the best thing to do is just hang up. Do not engage with the caller, even if they say they are from a legitimate organization. Remember, scammers will say anything to try and trick you into giving them your personal information or money.
With all of this said, it’s important to remember that not all robocalls are scams. There are some companies that use automated calls as part of their customer service or marketing efforts. However, these calls should always give you the option to opt-out of future calls, and you should never be asked for personal information like your Social Security number or credit card number.
FCC Steps In To Make a Change
The FCC has taken drastic measures against Roy Cox, Jr. and Michael Aaron Jones of Sumco Panama company as they have proposed a whopping $300 million fine due to their fraud auto warranty robocall campaign over the last three months of 2021. According to reports, 5 billion illegal calls were made to half a billion unique phone numbers using pre-recorded voice messages in an attempt to convince consumers into renewing or extending their car warranties with little regard for legal implications.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) revealed that robocalls commonly started with a message indicating the consumer’s vehicle warranty was expiring and that they would need to converse with a warranty specialist. If the individual pressed any key, they were connected to an operator attempting to intentionally sell them an extended coverage plan. The callers reportedly utilized fake caller ID details which gave off the impression that it either came from local car dealerships or matched their own phone numbers.
The FCC said that the scheme targeted consumers across the country, including many who had previously been on the National Do Not Call Registry. The agency is proposing a fine of $1.32 per call for a total of $300 million, which would be paid by Cox and Jones.
Will This Action Stop Robocalls?
It’s a relief to know that robocallers have been dealt the biggest-ever fine of nearly $300 million! Hopefully, this will be enough of a deterrent and a warning signal to any other scammers out there, that their actions won’t go unpunished. Though we can never really be sure what new ways these fraudsters might come up with next, it does bring some level of comfort in knowing our authorities are taking this issue seriously.
The authorities have taken a positive first step by issuing this hefty fine, but there is still more to be done in order to curb robocalling. In the meantime, it’s up us all to remain vigilant and alert the authorities about any dubious calls that we receive. Let’s take action now before it’s too late!
While the latest ruling against robocall scammers may slow the practice, it is almost certain that the massive fine will not end criminal attempts to separate unsuspecting victims from their money. Americans were cheated out of almost $30 billion in phone scams between 2020 and 2021 according to reports. With the potential gains to be made, criminals will always try to stay one step ahead of the law. It is up to the public to remain vigilant and fight back against these sorts of scams.
