STATEMENT OF CHAIRWOMAN JESSICA ROSENWORCEL Re: In the Matter of Thomas Dorsher; ChariTel Inc; OnTel Inc; and ScammerBlaster Inc, Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, File No. EB-TCD-21-00032187 I detest robocalls and I believe that if we want to stop them we need both defense and offense. In the defensive zone, two weeks ago we required small carriers to implement STIR/SHAKEN technology. This call authentication system that helps catch junk calls is already in place in our largest carriers. But we now require it in the networks of smaller providers—and specifically those that we believe may be turning a blind eye to these calling scams. In the offensive zone, last week we started an enforcement action to go after the scammers behind billions of auto warranty calls. This began with eight cease-and-desist letters to carriers responsible for these calls, directing them to knock it off in 48 hours or we will tell every other carrier to not carry their traffic. At the same time, we are working with the Attorney General of Ohio in our ongoing investigation to hold those behind this fraud accountable. It is worth noting that our offensive game has a bigger team than ever before. In fact, as of today, we have State Attorneys General in 41 states plus the District of Columbia and Guam working with us through a Memorandum of Understanding to share resources to fight illegal robocalls. Our work with the Attorney General of Ohio is already evidence that this approach is making a difference. Today’s enforcement action is also part of our offensive effort. We propose a $116 million fine for a scammer responsible for a traffic pumping scheme built on robocalls. This fine is big. But it also calls attention to the fact we need new rules of the game. We have issued many fines just like this one. But after we do, we have to hand them over to our colleagues at the Department and Justice and hope for further action. I like hope. But instead of wishing for the best, I would like the certainty of this agency being able to go to court directly and collect fines against these bad actors—each and every one of them. This will take a change in the law and we need Congress to fix that. But I think this is robocall change worth fighting for. Thank you to the staff responsible for this enforcement action, including Loyaan Egal, Lisa Gelb, Jermaine Haynes, Balki Macauley, Daniel Stepanicich, Kristi Thompson, Ashley Tyson, and Lisa Zaina from the Enforcement Bureau; Eduard Bartholme, Mark Stone, and Kristi Thornton from the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau; Mark Montano and Michelle Schaefer from the Office of Economics and Analytics; Valerie Hill, Richard Mallen, Wisam Naoum, and William Richardson from the Office of General Counsel; and Pamela Arluk, Matthew Collins, Lynne Engledow, Heather Hendrickson, Zachary Ross, Michelle Sclater, Gil Strobel, and David Zesiger from the Wireline Competition Bureau.