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The FCC Has Fined Robocallers $208M, Collected $6,790

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Re: The FCC Has Fined Robocallers $208M, Collected $6,790

#81

Post by Spooky23 »

ravenstine wrote: post #42

I see people here saying that spoofed numbers is the problem. Maybe it's a big part of it, but at the end of the day, the phone companies are complicit with the criminals because there's no good reason that these robocalls can't be treated like a DoS attack. These crooks make millions , of calls every year. My first employer was apparently making robocalls, though none of us were aware of it(there was a call center w…

It’s possible, but telcos won’t do anything without a regulation, and because a few politically influential companies in tiny states make a lot of money, that won’t happen.

Re: The FCC Has Fined Robocallers $208M, Collected $6,790

#82

Post by beerandt »

Semaphor wrote: post #68

I have a question, why are robocalls such a problem in the U.S.A.? As far as I know, they aren’t in Germany (or if they are, not on that level, I never got one).

It wasn't too much of a problem, but it has escalated quickly in the last couple of years, especially with people figuring out how to change or spoof CNAM data, which is what shows up on caller ID. For a while, they'd use numbers only a couple of digits off from yours, or have a set pattern (like add 4 to each of your last 3 digits). Now people don't answer local calls, so they've moved on to neighboring area codes.

I assume that some sort of software has hit the market automating the process, but I don't know.

Re: The FCC Has Fined Robocallers $208M, Collected $6,790

#83

Post by themagician »

tamalpais wrote: post #27

I enabled the Silence Unknown Callers feature [0] in iOS and haven’t answered a spam call since. The downside is that it sends every call from unknown numbers to voicemail, including legitimate ones. It’s a worthwhile trade-off. [0] https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207099

Same. Honestly, I really like this as a permanent solution. I think what we need now is a plug-in that has a strict “safe list” as opposed to the way it was being treated before with block lists.

The only calls I worry about not getting are legitimate callers from callers who aren’t allowed to leave VMs.

Re: The FCC Has Fined Robocallers $208M, Collected $6,790

#84

Post by [deleted] »

kyrra wrote: post #49
ravenstine wrote: post #42

I see people here saying that spoofed numbers is the problem. Maybe it's a big part of it, but at the end of the day, the phone companies are complicit with the criminals because there's no good reason that these robocalls can't be treated like a DoS attack. These crooks make millions , of calls every year. My first employer was apparently making robocalls, though none of us were aware of it(there was a call center w…

Telecoms can't block calls. They are not legally allowed to do it.

[deleted]

Re: The FCC Has Fined Robocallers $208M, Collected $6,790

#87

Post by beerandt »

nostrebored wrote: post #76
beerandt wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd be happy with at least providing the actual source name and number, in addition to the CNAM. CNAM must still be associated with the same source account (and ideally enforced, somehow). Best of both worlds.

What do you mean the actual number? The number is set by the caller as part of the SIP INVITE

The phone company has a source number for calls coming from outside their system for billing purposes. I want that number.

Edit: At a minimum, an out of system call should display what system / exchange it originates from. That at least helps solve neighbor spoofing.

Re: The FCC Has Fined Robocallers $208M, Collected $6,790

#88

Post by philipkglass »

Semaphor wrote: post #68

I have a question, why are robocalls such a problem in the U.S.A.? As far as I know, they aren’t in Germany (or if they are, not on that level, I never got one).

There are a lot of people living outside the USA who can speak English. Both legitimate and fraudulent English-language call centers are easier to set up internationally than German-language call centers. The robo part of the call can obviously be automated from anywhere but there are actual humans pretending to be from "Apple Support" when a target responds.

That raises another question: are other Anglosphere countries flooded by scam calls like the USA?

Re: The FCC Has Fined Robocallers $208M, Collected $6,790

#89

Post by xenospn »

sillysaurusx wrote: post #80
kovek wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If I need a phone number (and a phone), I go to T-Mobile, sign up with my credit card and get a phone number. Whoever is giving me this phone number, I think, should be held responsible if I'm doing stupid calls. The companies issuing the ability to robo-callers to do their work are enabling robo-callers to do their work (scams). Last time I tried to trace down a call, I stopped at a company called OnVoy and got dist…

If I need a phone number (and a phone), I go to T-Mobile, sign up with my credit card and get a phone number. Whoever is giving me this phone number, I think, should be held responsible if I'm doing stupid calls. Not a good idea. I get where you’re coming from, but we don’t hold ISPs accountable for people using the internet badly. That would be a change for the worse. Imagine if Comcast had to terminate your service…

I think corporations should not be treated as people. No carrier should be able to block me if I’m being an asshole, but they definitely should if I’m a corporation and harassing their customers for a living.
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