What are District of Columbia Robocalls Scams?
Robocalls are automated phone calls that use auto-dialers to deliver pre-recorded information to selected phone users at the same time. Legitimate businesses and telemarketers favor robocalls because it is cost-effective, similar to VoIP numbers. It is more convenient for the government of the District of Columbia to convey emergency and public service announcements using robocalls. Scammers, attracted to robocalls for the same reasons, engage in robocalling to extort phone users, and steal confidential information. Like spam calls, robocalls are unsolicited telephone calls that people consider intrusive and unwanted. They are often used during specific times, while spam calls generally do not follow precise timing and are randomly delivered.
In the United States, it is a punishable offense to use robocalls for telephone solicitations without the written consent of the called parties. Some laws regulate the use of robocalls for solicitations. A few instances and bodies are, however, exempted from these laws. They include emergency calls from government agencies, calls from law enforcement officers, and calls from hospitals, care providers, or pharmacies. Others are calls from companies that have pre-existing relationships with the call recipients and calls from political campaign groups. The Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia (OAG) and the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) handle the District’s phone scams-related complaints.
These are scams that use automated pre-recorded messages to steal money and confidential information from the District of Columbia residents. Phone scammers can remain anonymous by using spoofed robocalls and impersonate legitimate businesses and government agencies. Doing this enables them to earn their marks’ trust and deceive them into answering their phones. Records show that Illegal telemarketers target up to 17.6 million Americans annually with robocalls, resulting in an estimated $40 billion loss from phone scams yearly.
Although many companies use robocalls for various legitimate purposes, it is becoming harder to distinguish between these companies and phone scammers. Websites that offer reverse phone number lookup services can help you differentiate robocalls from live phone calls. A spoofed robocall will not return any result when subjected to a reverse phone lookup search. Some of the telltale signs of robocall scams include callers soliciting for immediate or advance payments through unusual payment methods. Another indicator is when a recorded message instructs you to press a number to speak with a live agent or to opt-out of their call list.
Does the District of Columbia Have Anti-Robocall Laws?
The District of Columbia operates on federal anti-robocall laws. These include the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 6101-6108). Also, the District's Commercial Solicitation Code §34–1701 forbids the use of automated telephone dialing systems for commercial solicitation. The only exception to the tenets of the Code is solicitation done by federal, state, or local government agencies using a robocall for emergency purposes. It also exempts calls where the called parties have pre-existing business relationships with the telemarketing companies via products or services that have been previously purchased.
Anyone who violates the provisions of this Code risks a civil fine of $1,000 per violation and up to $5,000 for each subsequent offense. The Office of the Corporation Counsel of the District of Columbia is authorized to prosecute violations of the Code on behalf of the District.
Are there Special Requirements for Robocalls in the District of Columbia?
Yes. Most telemarketing calls are subject to local and federal laws aimed at protecting consumers. Through these laws, residents can identify and avoid deceptive robocalls and get compensated for violations.
According to the District's Commercial Solicitation Code §34–1701, the following requirements must be met by legitimate telemarketers:
- Robocalls must not be used for solicitations except there is a pre-existing business relationship with the called parties. Such calls, however, must be in respect to the goods, services, or real property that have been previously ordered by the call recipients.
- Telemarketers must not call residents before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.
- Telemarketers must promptly identify themselves and the company they represent at the beginning of each call and must disclose the reason for calling at the onset.
- Telemarketers must not request payment through wire transfer or credit card authorization. They must not be specific about payment channels.
- Where the consumer expresses a lack of interest, such a caller must terminate the call immediately. Also, the caller must not call such a person for at least one year after.
- Telemarketers must use robocalls that automatically create a disconnect signal that allows called parties’ phone lines to be released within 10 seconds of hanging up.
Federal anti-robocall laws also have requirements that are binding on telemarketers in the District of Columbia. These include:
- Telemarketing robocalls must only be made to consumers who have shown interest in receiving them.
- Robocalls conveying political information must not be made to protected phone lines, mobile devices, and cell phones without first obtaining users’ consent.
However, phone scammers do not honor these requirements, and any violation is a tell-tale sign of robocall scams. To combat the menace of robocall scams, the government, through the FTC, launched a caller ID authentication system called STIR/SHAKEN protocols. The FTC has mandated all telephone providers to integrate these protocols into their networks on or before June 30, 2021.
How Do I Stop Robocalls?
The menace of robocalls is a concern for phone users in the District of Columbia. Residents are now always hesitant in answering calls from unknown numbers for fear of being scammed. However, reverse phone lookup tools can help you identify automated calls and avoid scams. Take the following steps to reduce the number of robocalls coming through your phone and prevent falling victim to scams:
- Reject phone calls from numbers you do not recognize. If you answer a call, and it turns out to be a robocall, hang up immediately.
- Register your phone number on the FTC's National do not call registry. Legitimate telemarketers will stop calling you after 31 days after registration, making it easy to identify scam robocalls. To sign up online, visit the DNC webpage or call 1 (888) 382 -1222 from the phone number you wish to register.
- Block robocalls using the built-in call-blocking features on your phone. You can also install third-party call-blocking applications such as Hiya, Nomorobo, YouMail, and Truecaller to identify and bar robocall numbers.
File robocall complaints online with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the FTC. You can also report to the Office of Consumer Protection, OAG, by calling (202) 442-9828 or via email.