Federal Communications Commission	"FCC  XX-XXX"


STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER GEOFFREY STARKS
Re:	Implementing Section 503 of RAY BAUM’S Act, WC Docket No. 18-335; Rules and Regulation Implementing the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009, WC Docket No. 11-39.
It is no exaggeration to say that robocalls have changed the fabric of our culture.  Where I grew up, you answered the phone.  It could be your pastor, your child’s teacher, or in a very real way, your neighbor.  But now, if you’re anything like me and you don’t recognize a number on your phone, you don’t pick it up because it will almost always be a telemarketer.      
One type of robocall, the “spoofed” call, is particularly insidious.  These calls look like they are coming from a neighbor, a friend or some other legitimate source.  Indeed, this type of deceitful practice led to thousands of Americans being defrauded out of hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years through the “IRS” scam, where people received calls that appeared to be from the US Government or the IRS threatening arrest and demanding payment.  These predatory schemes are alarming, unscrupulous, and must be stopped.
The FCC receives more complaints about robocalls than any other issue.  Last year Congress took action against spoofing in the RAY BAUM’S Act – expanding existing law to include spoofed calls from overseas as well as text messages.  I support today’s item, which initiates the process of implementing these new spoofing laws.  We must continue to refine our tools, because we can be sure robocallers will try to find new and innovative ways to break through.  In this battle, this additional authority is essential and welcomed – the Commission will be better able to find illegal robocallers, stop them, and hold them accountable.  
My thanks to the staff of the Enforcement Bureau for their vigilance and determination in fighting illegal robocallers.  And I also thank the staff of the Wireline Competition Bureau for your work on this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.



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