Media Contact: Will Wiquist will.wiquist@fcc.gov For Immediate Release CHAIRWOMAN ROSENWORCEL ANNOUNCES LATEST ADDITIONS TO STATE-FEDERAL PARTNERSHIPS TO COMBAT ROBOCALLS Rosenworcel Welcomes States Attorneys General Efforts to Expand Collaborative Information Sharing Agreements With FCC WASHINGTON, February 17, 2022—FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel today welcomed the newest state law enforcement leaders to the agency’s ever-growing list of robocalling partnerships, and applauded the State Attorneys General of Colorado, North Carolina, and Tennessee for their ongoing efforts to help facilitate more states and territories to build similar robocalling partnerships with the FCC. The FCC today announced it had also signed new robocall enforcement MOUs with Colorado and Vermont, which brings the total of state-federal partnerships to 16 with the goal of extending this level of collaboration to every state and territory. These formal investigatory partnerships between State Attorneys General and the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau help protect consumers around the country from unwanted and illegal robocalls and spoofing scams, and the Commission will continue to recruit additional states and territories to broaden the impact of state-federal collaboration. “Protecting consumers from robocall and spoofing scams is an everyday challenge for local, state, and federal law enforcement. By sharing information and closely cooperating on investigations, we can better protect consumers everywhere,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “Our enforcement partnerships with State Attorneys General have already paid dividends and I know these new agreements will only further that success. I thank these state leaders for their cooperation and their dedication to enforcing strong consumer protection laws, and I appreciate their efforts to encourage their colleagues to join us on this effort.” “The opportunity to collaborate with the FCC on robocall investigations honors our country’s tradition of federalism and demonstrates a mutual commitment to combat these menacing robocalls,” said Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser. “We have made progress combatting this scourge and need to stay vigilant to protect consumers.” “Robocalls are not only a constant nuisance, but they are also a tool for scammers to rob Americans of billions of their hard-earned dollars,” said North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein. “The best way to protect people from robocalls is by working together at every level. I’m grateful for the FCC’s partnership on this issue, as well as that of my fellow attorneys general and telecom partners on this effort.” “Robocall scams aren’t unique to any particular area. We are all fighting the same battle against this constant intrusion,” said Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery. “I appreciate our partnership with other states and the FCC. We can act quickly and effectively when we join forces to stop these calls and protect consumers.” “Vermont has made it a top priority to identify and confront companies that facilitate illegal, unwanted robocalls,” said Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan. “We are pleased to have the FCC as partners in this ongoing effort to stop criminal fraud and abuse.” During investigations, both the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau and state investigators seek records, talk to witnesses, interview targets, examine consumer complaints, and take other critical steps to build a record against possible bad actors. Formal Memoranda of Understanding between the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau and Attorney General offices can be a critical resource for building cases and preventing duplicative efforts in protecting consumers and businesses nationwide. For an example of the impacts of such cooperation, the FCC and eight State Attorney General offices coordinated during an investigation of a telemarketer who made approximately 1 billion illegally spoofed robocalls to sell short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans. This investigation resulted in the FCC issuing a $225 million fine, the largest in its history, and the states filing suit in the Southern District of Texas seeking damages and a permanent injunction against the telemarketer. The states provided crucial evidence about the robocalling operations. ### Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / Twitter: @FCC / www.fcc.gov This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).