Targeting Illegal Network Scams
Attorneys General Urge Federal Communications Commission to Implement Stricter Robocall Rules
Anonymous
Key Points
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The coalition’s Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force launched Operation Robocall Roundup in 2025; during its first phase, it sent warning letters to 37 smaller voice providers accused of disregarding FCC obligations to mitigate illegal or suspicious robocalls.
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Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said illegal robocall scams can cost residents “thousands of dollars, sometimes even their life savings,” underscoring the personal financial harm behind the coalition’s request.
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South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said some providers continue to let illegal robocalls onto the U.S. telecommunications system, putting residents nationwide at risk, and called for upstream providers to be made “fully accountable.”
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Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul characterized the requested changes as requiring providers to “responsibly vet the sources of calls” rather than merely responding after illegal robocalls reach consumers.
Nearly 50 state attorneys general are demanding the Federal Communications Commission strengthen rules that govern how phone providers handle robocalls. The bipartisan coalition wants stricter requirements for companies to vet and monitor upstream providers—the firms that route calls through the U.S. phone network NC DOJ. Last year, Americans lost nearly $2 billion to scam robocalls and texts, with 29.6 billion illegal calls and texts reaching phones nationwide NC DOJ.
The push follows Operation Robocall Roundup, a multistate effort that sent warning letters to 37 voice providers accused of ignoring FCC rules Wisconsin DOJ. Attorneys general want providers to collect more information about upstream companies, monitor them regularly, cut ties with bad actors, and face penalties for failures Illinois AG.
The $2 Billion Scam Robocall Problem
Americans received a staggering 29.6 billion scam robocalls and texts last year, losing nearly $2 billion in the process NC DOJ. Scammers impersonate banks, government agencies, and tech companies to steal money and personal information. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said illegal robocall scams can cost residents "thousands of dollars, sometimes even their life savings," Iowa AG. The crisis affects families across every state, making robocall enforcement a top priority for law enforcement nationwide.
What Attorneys General Want From the FCC
The coalition is pushing for stronger "Know Your Upstream Provider" rules that require phone companies to vet call sources more carefully NC DOJ. Providers must collect detailed information about upstream companies, verify that information, and monitor them on an ongoing basis Wisconsin DOJ. Companies should also cut ties with providers that break FCC rules and keep compliance records for review Virginia AG.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said the changes would require providers to "responsibly vet the sources of calls" instead of waiting for illegal robocalls to reach consumers Illinois AG. Penalties are crucial—providers who fail to vet upstream companies should face real consequences. The goal is to stop bad actors from using legitimate phone networks to reach victims.
Operation Robocall Roundup Targets Smaller Providers
The Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force launched Operation Robocall Roundup in 2025 Wisconsin DOJ. In its first phase, the effort sent warning letters to 37 smaller voice providers accused of failing to block illegal or suspicious robocalls NC DOJ. These smaller carriers often lack robust compliance systems, making them targets for scammers looking for routes into the U.S. phone network.
Stronger Caller ID Authentication Also Needed
The attorneys general also want stronger enforcement of STIR/SHAKEN, a caller-ID authentication framework designed to prevent scammers from spoofing phone numbers NC DOJ. Spoofing lets criminals hide their real identity and appear to call from trusted sources like banks or government agencies. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said some providers continue to allow illegal robocalls onto the U.S. telecommunications system, putting residents nationwide at risk South Dakota AG. Making upstream providers "fully accountable" is essential to fixing the problem.
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