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FCC could hit robocall firm that made over 5 BILLION scam calls in three months with $300 million fine
daily mail ^

Posted on 12/22/2022 10:35:19 AM PST by algore

The Federal Communications Commission has proposed what would be its largest fine ever - just under $300 million - against the biggest robocall company that it's ever investigated.

The company made a staggering 5 billion scam calls over the course of three months last year, which the agency notes is enough to 'have called each person in the United States 15 times.'

Since the robocallers met the definition for 'egregious violations,' the FCC decided to impose its largest fine ever: $299,997,000.

Consumers were subjected to relentless calls that often began with something like: 'We've been trying to reach you concerning your car's extended warranty,' and then prompting them to speak with a 'warranty specialist' about the matter

People used the terms 'incessant' and 'harassment' to describe the calls, the FCC says.

'We will be relentless in pursing the groups behind these schemes by limiting their access to U.S. communications networks and holding them to account for their conduct,' said Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan A. Egal in a statement

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Heated Discussion
KEYWORDS: fcc; fccfine; robocall; robocalls
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I would be happier if they got life in prison without parole instead of a fine they will never pay
1 posted on 12/22/2022 10:35:20 AM PST by algore
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To: algore

Can we punctuate that sentence with a period before the word “with?”


2 posted on 12/22/2022 10:36:12 AM PST by freedumb2003 (Difference between a cow and the US Capitol 1/6 "riot:" you can only milk a cow 3 times a day)
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To: algore

Who gets the fine?

Each citizen gets $1.00, which will cost $10.00 to process and send?

Or 2 cents after lawyers at 99% share?

Or Zelenski? He could set up robocalls form Ukraine.


3 posted on 12/22/2022 10:39:54 AM PST by Scrambler Bob
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To: algore
'We will be relentless in pursing the groups behind these schemes by limiting their access to U.S. communications networks and holding them to account for their conduct,' said Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan A. Egal in a statement

Bureau Chief Egal said in a follow-up, off-the-record statement "...unless they properly fill my offshore bank account ASAP."

4 posted on 12/22/2022 10:42:33 AM PST by ProtectOurFreedom (If you're not part of the solution, you're just scumming up the bottom of the beaker!0)
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To: algore

The scam calls have gotten so bad that studies show many Americans simply refuse to answer the phone.


from the article.


5 posted on 12/22/2022 10:43:09 AM PST by PeterPrinciple (Thinking Caps are no longer being issued but there must be a warehouse full of them somewhere.)
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To: algore

“the FCC decided to impose its largest fine ever: $299,997,000”

That certainly seems like an odd number......I assume there is some significance to it.


6 posted on 12/22/2022 10:45:42 AM PST by V_TWIN (America...so great even the people that hate it refuse to leave!)
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To: algore

Hey, I know those guys. I love to spend a few minutes talking to them every day. They have great deals on car warranties and satellite TV. And they told me about the warrant for my arrest.


7 posted on 12/22/2022 10:49:37 AM PST by crusty old prospector
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To: V_TWIN
That certainly seems like an odd number......I assume there is some significance to it.

Kinda like the old Earl Scheib ads. Keeping it under a round figure to make it sound like you got a deal.


8 posted on 12/22/2022 10:52:55 AM PST by deoetdoctrinae (Gun-free zones are playgrounds for criminals.)
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To: algore

They should go to jail for life


9 posted on 12/22/2022 10:55:19 AM PST by aMorePerfectUnion (Fraud vitiates everything. )
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To: Scrambler Bob

https://www.fcc.gov/news-events/blog/2015/05/14/accountability-enforcement-penalties-fines

Read the above about fines, it is an eye opener. Do you see any potential for political mischief?

Equally important, the Commission’s fines and penalties are sometimes used as precedent or guideposts for determining the size of other enforcement fines and penalties. If our past work is used as the basis for future decisions, consideration must be given to what was actually collected. For instance, the Commission has issued a number of NALs and eventual forfeitures against purveyors of slamming and cramming. It would be extremely helpful to know whether those entities actually paid the amounts assessed, or just closed down shop to reopen under a new name.


10 posted on 12/22/2022 10:57:32 AM PST by PeterPrinciple (Thinking Caps are no longer being issued but there must be a warehouse full of them somewhere.)
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To: PeterPrinciple

If I don’t recognize the number, I don’t answer.


11 posted on 12/22/2022 10:59:13 AM PST by Night Hides Not (Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad! Remember Gonzales! Come and Take It! lol)
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To: PeterPrinciple

I get about 10 “Scam Likely” calls a day.


12 posted on 12/22/2022 11:00:25 AM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: crusty old prospector

LOL, I love the calls from the IRS, threatening me for unpaid taxes. As an experienced accountant, I know the IRS does not initiate calls.


13 posted on 12/22/2022 11:01:29 AM PST by Night Hides Not (Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad! Remember Gonzales! Come and Take It! lol)
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To: algore

I’m OK with public execution of phone, text and email scammers.


14 posted on 12/22/2022 11:01:51 AM PST by I want the USA back (News media not worth camel spit. My pronouns: Who, What, I Don't Know.)
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To: Scrambler Bob

https://www.fcc.gov/enforcement/orders

fcc is rather busy assessing fines.

My research with the fines is that the payment is negotiated to go away if a contribution to a proper “non profit” is paid.


15 posted on 12/22/2022 11:06:21 AM PST by PeterPrinciple (Thinking Caps are no longer being issued but there must be a warehouse full of them somewhere.)
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To: algore
The robocall operation was run by Roy Cox, Jr. and Michael Aaron Jones via their Sumco Panama company and other domestic and foreign entities

RoboKiller Website

Names from the otherwise useless DM article.

16 posted on 12/22/2022 11:08:50 AM PST by texas booster (Join FreeRepublic's Folding@Home team (Team # 36120) Cure Alzheimer's!)
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To: crusty old prospector

“And they told me about the warrant for my arrest.”

you’re lucky they told you, because no one else would have ...


17 posted on 12/22/2022 11:11:45 AM PST by catnipman (In a post-covid world, ALL "science" is now political science: stolen elections have consequences)
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To: PeterPrinciple
The scam calls have gotten so bad that studies show many Americans simply refuse to answer the phone.

Except in rare occasions, I won't answer a call from a number that's not already in my phone. The caller, if it's a legitimate call, can leave a message. The problem with robo-calling is that the attempt doesn't cost anything if the caller doesn't answer.

In addition to fines and jail time, robocallers need to be charged a fee for every attempt.

18 posted on 12/22/2022 11:13:50 AM PST by T.B. Yoits
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To: deoetdoctrinae

That’s what it sounded like to me, too.

“Only $299,997,000! But wait, there’s more!”


19 posted on 12/22/2022 11:17:16 AM PST by HartleyMBaldwin
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To: algore

A 6% commission to the FCC on 5 billion in sales? Where do I sign up?


20 posted on 12/22/2022 11:19:37 AM PST by Dan Walsh
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