The Phone Companies CAN Stop The Unwanted Robocalls!

  • by: Consumers Union
  • recipient: Phone Companies AT&T, Verizon and CenturyLink
This summer, the FTC conducted a second round of technology development to stop the robocalls. Calling their effort "Zapping Rachel" (after the infamous "Rachel from cardholder services,") the agency asked hackers to put their best thinking into new code to track down unwanted robocallers and block them.

But the best technology development can't help consumers if the biggest phone companies won't cooperate in implementation. That, sadly, is where we are right now.

A number of technology solutions to the robocall problem have been developed. The best ones offer ways to screen out those robocalls before they get to your phone, or at least by the first ring. That would mean the robocalls would just stop.

No more "Rachel" from card member services, or frightening calls from "Microsoft" claiming your computer has been hacked. Just peace and quiet, knowing that when your phone rings it will probably be someone legitimate.

But the phone companies have to assist in this process. Tell them exactly how important this is to you!

Dear [Decision Maker], As a customer, I want all the phone companies to investigate and then implement technology solutions to the robocall problem that will stop the unwanted robocalls before they get to me. I understand that any new technology may not be perfect, but right now I just need to see a real reduction in the obnoxious robocalls that interrupt my daily activities and introduce me to scammers. The phone companies should be taking the lead, not making excuses for why they can't do anything. The FTC has helped private companies introduce a range of technologies designed to reduce or eliminate these robocall scams, but until the phone companies adopt these solutions, they can't work for most people. [Your comments will go here] It is time every major phone company in the U.S. stood up for its customers and stopped the robocall scams before they get into my home. Sincerely, [Your name here]
Update #18 years ago
Great news -- your voice has been heard! The FCC has finally announced that it's time for phone companies to offer effective call-blocking options for consumers. It not only affirms phone companies' right to provide these tools -- it tells them to do so! We couldn't have achieved this without your help, so thanks again for signing the petition.
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