NAAG Urges Telcos To Offer Call-Blocking Technology in Light of FCC TCPA Clarification

Among the attorneys general was Missouri AG Chris Koster, who has been at the forefront on the issue. Koster said phone carriers previously claimed they couldn't offer such services. At a July 2013 hearing before a Senate subcommittee, representatives from CTIA and USTelecom testified that “legal barriers” prevent carriers from implementing advanced call-blocking technology to reduce the number of unwanted telemarketing calls. “The FCC has made it clear that phone companies can assist us in our fight against unwanted, annoying, and sometimes expensive calls,” Koster said in a news release. “We will continue to press these phone carriers to give their customers what they have been asking for -- a way to stop these calls before they ever come through.”

Weeks earlier, nearly 330,000 Americans joined Consumers Union’s End Robocalls campaign urging carriers to offer call-blocking technology, said a CU release. Americans have registered more than 217 million phone numbers on the FTC “Do Not Call” list, yet robocalls are rampant, the release said. Last year, the FTC received 3 million complaints from the public about unwanted calls, many about scammers or illegitimate companies that flagrantly violate the law, CU said. “State law enforcement officials, federal regulators, and the public all agree -- the phone companies need to do more to stop robocalls before they invade our homes,” said Tim Marvin, manager of the End Robocalls campaign. “Phone carriers are in the best position to provide their customers with relief and it’s time for them to act.”

USTelecom said it's fully on board with the NAAG request and shares the concern the organization expressed. Industry took steps to stop robocalls from getting through to consumers, including providing tools that force anonymous and out-of-area callers to identify themselves before the call is completed, USTelecom said in a statement. “Strong enforcement against illegal robocallers is critical and we will continue to work closely with the Federal Trade Commission and federal and state prosecutors to put bad actors out of business.” AT&T referred to the statement by USTelecom when asked for a comment.

CenturyLink said it understands the concern that consumers have about automated calls and also shares their frustration with mass solicitations via phone. CenturyLink offers several tools that help reduce such calls, and it will continue to work with consumers, the company said. “We will continue to work with our industry colleagues to identify and address the sources of illegal robocalls, which pose an annoyance to consumers, facilitate telephone-based fraud and burden our nation’s telecommunications networks,” a spokeswoman said. Verizon agreed, saying more consumer education about the issue is needed. Consumers have options, a spokesman said. All smartphone customers can use call-blocking apps, including free ones available in both Google Play and the App Store, and wireline customers can use Verizon devices that can reject anonymous calls, the spokesperson said. “These customers can also for no extra charge sign up for robocall blocking services offered by other third parties.”

CTIA applauds NAAG's effort on robocall laws, said Gerry Keegan, CTIA senior director-state legislative affairs. CTIA and members -- individually and collectively -- offer a number apps and options for consumers to use on their mobile devices to block robocalls, Keegan said. "It’s important that consumers make the decision on who they will and will not allow to contact them since what one person may view as a robocall could be welcomed by another individual."