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FCC bars providers for non-compliance with robocall protections

docs.fcc.gov

91–100 of 281 posts

Re: FCC bars providers for non-compliance with robocall protections

#91

I get relentless text and phone spam calls - both robotic and with humans - from just a few voice over Internet platforms. Bandwidth.com, Neutral Tandem, and ALL the brands associated with Sinch ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinch_AB ) like Inteliquent. Many of these companies got cease and desist orders in the past from the FTC. It didn’t help anything. We need to see them fined, shut down, and executives jailed.

These are all platforms with many different products built but others on top of them. Shutting down all abuse is a cat and mouse game and not something they can "just do" if given tighter rules

This seems solvable. Put the person most closely traceable to the source of the spam in jail, like a form of KYC laws. If you can't identify the actual human who is causing you to put spam into the network, or that person is outside of your country's jurisdiction, then you are the one who goes to jail. If you don't want to go to jail, then don't accept calls from someone you can't point the finger at.

Re: FCC bars providers for non-compliance with robocall protections

#92
post #23

Just kill the phone. It's a terrible anachronism. If you insist on voice you can attach an ogg/mp3 file to your email.

How I imagine you ~~calling~~ emailing the fire department: https://youtu.be/uesx85EHRTo (The IT crowd - Moss Contacts Fire Department)

Re: FCC bars providers for non-compliance with robocall protections

#93

Something changed about 1 year ago where the spam calls I get are 10x higher than in the past. It got so bad I had to change how I use my phone. Any caller not in my contact list goes immediately to voicemail. I’ve tried several robocall blockers, but they tend to cause connectivity issues. If anyone else has this problem, what are you using to prevent robocalls?

I just stopped answering any/all unknown phone numbers. Only my contacts get me without leaving a message. I'm sure it's caused me to lose business, but I can't find a better way of maintaining my own productivity/sanity. I do disclose this practice in the outgoing message, and encourage callers to text me if they don't get an answer. Whatever software the robocallers use doesn't seem to be smart enough to clock this…

Yup, we went to this not too long ago. Many calls a day, mostly medicare scammers.

Re: FCC bars providers for non-compliance with robocall protections

#94

Before I got my phone number, a woman by the name of "Sade" has the number. Recently I've been getting at least one call per day from the same company regarding an extended auto warranty. I've told them politely that this is the wrong number, they keep calling. I've asked them to take my number off their list and they happily agree to, but they keep calling. I've threatened to contact the FCC is they keep calling yet…

Hoping someone else answers that's scammable.

Re: FCC bars providers for non-compliance with robocall protections

#95
post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or just make callers cover all the costs, like in some countries. Still, I really wish there were an option to charge incoming callers as you suggested—because honestly, about 90% of calls I get outside my circle are unsolicited. That way, only the 10% that truly matter would reach me. Right now, I’m on a strict “no-ring” policy: if a call turns out to be legitimate, I’ll call back. But nobody gets real-time PSTN acc…

> Or just make callers cover all the costs, Wait, who covers the cost in the US?

[deleted]

Re: FCC bars providers for non-compliance with robocall protections

#96

I get relentless text and phone spam calls - both robotic and with humans - from just a few voice over Internet platforms. Bandwidth.com, Neutral Tandem, and ALL the brands associated with Sinch ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinch_AB ) like Inteliquent. Many of these companies got cease and desist orders in the past from the FTC. It didn’t help anything. We need to see them fined, shut down, and executives jailed.

How would one discover which VOIP providers are the source of calls?

I wrote a little tool which can do lookups: https://github.com/evidlo/nanpa_lookup

There's no free source of this information anywhere. The only affordable option is telcodata.us

Re: FCC bars providers for non-compliance with robocall protections

#97

I get relentless text and phone spam calls - both robotic and with humans - from just a few voice over Internet platforms. Bandwidth.com, Neutral Tandem, and ALL the brands associated with Sinch ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinch_AB ) like Inteliquent. Many of these companies got cease and desist orders in the past from the FTC. It didn’t help anything. We need to see them fined, shut down, and executives jailed.

How would one discover which VOIP providers are the source of calls?

Just hack into SS7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVyu7NB7W6Y

Re: FCC bars providers for non-compliance with robocall protections

#98
post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or just make callers cover all the costs, like in some countries. Still, I really wish there were an option to charge incoming callers as you suggested—because honestly, about 90% of calls I get outside my circle are unsolicited. That way, only the 10% that truly matter would reach me. Right now, I’m on a strict “no-ring” policy: if a call turns out to be legitimate, I’ll call back. But nobody gets real-time PSTN acc…

> Or just make callers cover all the costs, Wait, who covers the cost in the US?

In the US, the receiver effectively covers the cost of mobile calls—though it’s a bit nuanced, so apologies for any lack of clarity. You’re essentially paying for incoming calls if you’re on a metered plan, since those minutes get deducted. With most rate plans now being unlimited, this cost is somewhat hidden.

In Japan (the only other system I’m familiar with), it works differently: the caller is charged for the recipient’s end, while the receiver pays nothing. For example, calling a mobile phone from a landline costs more to account for the mobile portion. I remember years ago using a prepaid phone card from a payphone to call a mobile number—the balance drained incredibly fast. This is one reason why younger generations in Japan rarely rely on PSTN for routine calls, since it can quickly become expensive.

Re: FCC bars providers for non-compliance with robocall protections

#99
post #69
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why can someone from outside the US make my phone ring? Why can't I opt out of calls sourced internationally? Seems like an easy way to fix the problem. There is no reason for anyone overseas to call me, and if someone US-based does phone spamming, we can prosecute them.

An easy way to "fix" the problem for closet dwelling US nerds like us who've decided we don't want to use the telephone anymore. Everyone else in the world isn't like us, and have to actually use their phones to talk to real people everywhere. Pretty much everyone has family abroad, etc... This just isn't a serious suggestion. Which is why this is likely to end up getting rolled back. Surely most of these providers a…

I'd love a solution that would fix the problem for everyone, sure, but since the evidence is that is apparently impossible, I'll happily take one that only helps a subset.

Re: FCC bars providers for non-compliance with robocall protections

#100

Before I got my phone number, a woman by the name of "Sade" has the number. Recently I've been getting at least one call per day from the same company regarding an extended auto warranty. I've told them politely that this is the wrong number, they keep calling. I've asked them to take my number off their list and they happily agree to, but they keep calling. I've threatened to contact the FCC is they keep calling yet…

This will take a few times but... That is when you interact with them, maliciously. Basically cost them time and money. Have them on there for an hour or more. Set phone down come back every 2-3 mins and make sure they are still there. Make sure you have them repeat everything, your connection is not so good. Drag it for at least 20-60 mins. Then at the last second back out on the sale and mention you wanted on their do not call list at the end. As well as a copy of their DNC policy priority mailed. "you know what I am going to ask you put me on your do not call list and I want a copy of your do not call policy just like the last 3 times".

You break that support persons numbers and they may add you. At worst they will call again and you cost them more money.

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