Vermonters received over 25 million Robocalls last year

FCC and FTC doing too little to stop calls made to cell phones illegally and without consent

Vermont Business Magazine According to the YouMail Robocall Index, which tracks the volume and extent of robocalls in the United States, more than 25,500,000 robocalls were made to the 802 area code in 2017. The industry data comes ahead of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) March 23 policy forum, “Fighting the Scourge of Illegal Robocalls.” Both agencies have taken a strong stance against scam and spoofed number robocalls but have been softer on legitimate businesses making illegal calls to cell phones and without consent. In February of this year, PayPal and Home Depot were among the top five generators of robocalls to Vermont numbers.

1.9 million robocalls were placed to area code 802 in February 2018, equaling roughly 3.1 calls per person affected. Source: YouMail Robocall Index

“This data illustrates a rapid expansion of the use of robocall technology and the toll these abusive calls take on Vermont consumers,” said Margot Saunders, senior counsel at the National Consumer Law Center.

Earlier this year, the FTC’s “Biennial Report to Congress” revealed a sizeable uptick in consumer complaints about robocalls in 2017, with 4.5 million complaints filed in 2017 compared to 3.4 million in 2016. More than 14,000 Vermont residents complained to the FTC about robocalls and other violations of the “Do Not Call Registry” in 2017.

“Critics seeking to gut the TCPA’s protections against robocalls claim the law leads to frivolous lawsuits,” said Saunders. “On the contrary, the overwhelming number of robocall violations go unchecked, with even the most conservative estimates showing a 1000-to-1 ratio of complaints to government agencies as compared to lawsuits filed. And that does not even account for the tens of millions of illegal robocalls to consumers who do not file complaints or lawsuits.”

Even as robocall complaints increase and TCPA lawsuits decline (there was a 10% reduction in 2017 from the previous year), banks and other companies, backed by industry lobbyists, are continuing to petition the FCC for exemptions to this key consumer privacy law.

“Rather than petition the FCC for exemptions that weaken robocall protections, companies should focus on following the rules,” said Saunders. “We hope that this FCC will protect consumers against these illegal calls. Maintaining a strong TCPA will benefit consumers and level the playing field for law-abiding businesses.”

Top 10 Robocallers
to Area Code 802 in February 2018
(by volume)

Updated 3/1/2018

Robocaller Caller ID Caller Type
888-895-5641 Bill Me Later with Pay Pal Credit Card Debt Collection
312-578-7022 Phone Survey Unknown Robocaller
802-847-3000 Hospital Pharmacy Unknown Robocaller
888-720-5859 Credit Card Issues Scam Bank Debt Collection
866-458-7688 Home Depot Bank Debt Collection
888-393-7163 Bill Me Later with Pay Pal Retail Debt Collection
877-394-5975 Carson Smithfield LLC Debt Collection
866-585-2923 Unknown Name Unknown Robocaller
866-889-3869 Debt Collector Unknown Robocaller
312-386-7439 Portfolio Recovery Debt Collection Financial Services

Since 1969, the nonprofit National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) has used its expertise in consumer law and energy policy to work for consumer justice and economic security for low-income and other disadvantaged people, including older adults, in the United States. NCLC’s expertise includes policy analysis and advocacy; consumer law and energy publications; litigation; expert witness services, and training and advice for advocates. NCLC works with nonprofit and legal services organizations, private attorneys, policymakers, and federal and state government and courts across the nation to stop exploitative practices, help financially stressed families build and retain wealth, and advance economic fairness. www.nclc.org

Source: National Consumer Law Center 3.20.2018