Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist
will.wiquist@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

STATE ROBOCALL ENFORCERS CONTINUE TO PARTNER UP WITH THE FCC TO PROTECT AMERICAN CONSUMERS
Iowa, Florida, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, and South Carolina Attorney Generals Sign Robocall Enforcement MOUs with FCC
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WASHINGTON, May 19, 2022—The Federal Communications Commission today announced new robocall investigation partnerships with the Attorneys General of Iowa, Florida, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.  With 36 States and the District of Columbia now having signed Memoranda of Understanding, the large majority of states have joined the FCC Enforcement Bureau to share evidence, coordinate investigations, pool enforcement resources, and work together to combat illegal robocall campaigns and protect American consumers from scams.

“With the majority of states now coordinating with our enforcement team, we are better positioned to help protect consumers from scammers than ever before,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.  “Enforcement is a vital tool in our fight against illegal robocalls.  The states also bring with them their own unique powers like filing for injunctions and even criminal prosecutions.  Together we are stronger.  Together we will continue our work to protect American consumers.”

In addition to new agreements with Iowa, Florida, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, and South Carolina Attorneys General, the FCC is building upon its robocall investigation partnership the New York Department of State.  The FCC already has in place robocall investigation MOUs with Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.  

FCC Enforcement Bureau investigations into robocalling and spoofing violations in recent years have resulted in unprecedented fines.  For example, following an FCC investigation that involved coordination with eight state Attorneys General offices, the FCC fined health insurance telemarketers $225 million for making approximately 1 billion illegally spoofed calls in violation of the Truth in Caller ID Act – the states are also filing suit seeking damages and a permanent injunction against the telemarketer.  The FCC also proposed a $45 million robocall fine – the largest ever under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act – against a company that conducted an apparently illegal robocall campaign to sell health insurance under the pretense that the annual enrollment period had been reopened due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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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).