FCC Attempts to Halt Spam Auto Warranty Caller

July 8, 2022 by Madeline Hughes
FCC Attempts to Halt Spam Auto Warranty Caller
(Associated Press)

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission asked phone companies to cut off a business they believe is behind billions of those pesky robocalls saying “We’ve been trying to reach you concerning your car’s extended warranty.”

On Thursday the commission sent cease and desist letters to eight specific phone carriers and warnings to all other phone carriers across the country cautioning they need to stop allowing calls from the Cox/Jones/Sumco Panama Operation, which the commission alleged is behind about 8 billion spam calls since 2018.

“Billions of auto warranty robocalls from a single calling campaign.  Billions!  Auto warranty scams are one of the top complaints we get from consumers and it’s time to hold those responsible for making these junk calls,” Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement

These particular auto warranty scam calls have been the top complaints from consumers in 2020 and 2021, according to the commission

The eight companies sent the cease and desist letters — Call Pipe, Fugle Telecom, Geist Telecom, Global Lynks, Mobi Telecom, SD Telecom, SipKonnect and Virtual Telecom —  were told to stop the calls from the Cox/Jones/Sumco Panama operation, which the FCC estimates generates millions of calls a day. The commission also said they must report back how they continue to cut off scam calls.

If the companies do not comply they could face fines and be kicked out of the commission’s Robocall Mitigation Database, which will effectively notify every telecom firm in America to block their traffic. 

This comes as the commission is cracking down on robocalls in general using new technology and working with states to investigate these fraudulent callers.

Madeline can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @ByMaddieHughes

A+
a-
  • Auto warranty
  • cease and desist
  • Federal Communications Commission
  • robocalls
  • In The News

    Health

    Voting

    Regulation

    Biden Announcing New Rule to Protect Consumers Who Purchase Short-Term Health Insurance Plans

    President Joe Biden on Thursday announced new steps to protect consumers who buy short-term health insurance plans that critics say amount to junk. A... Read More

    President Joe Biden on Thursday announced new steps to protect consumers who buy short-term health insurance plans that critics say amount to junk. A new rule finalized by the Democratic president's administration will limit these plans to just three months. And the plans can only be renewed for a maximum... Read More

    March 26, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    Consumers Warned to Avoid Certain Topical Pain Relief Products 

    WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration warned consumers on Tuesday not to use certain over-the-counter pain relief products marketed... Read More

    WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration warned consumers on Tuesday not to use certain over-the-counter pain relief products marketed for topical use before, during or after certain cosmetic procedures. The warning came after the agency issued warning letters to six companies for marketing these products... Read More

    March 21, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    DOJ, 16 States Sue Apple Over Alleged Smartphone Monopoly

    WASHINGTON — The Justice Department and 16 state attorneys general sued Apple on Thursday accusing the Cupertino, California-based tech giant... Read More

    WASHINGTON — The Justice Department and 16 state attorneys general sued Apple on Thursday accusing the Cupertino, California-based tech giant of operating an illegal monopoly in the smartphone market. According to the lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in New Jersey, Apple has used the... Read More

    Trump Suggests He'd Support a National Ban on Abortions Around 15 Weeks of Pregnancy

    NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that he’d support a national ban on abortions around 15 weeks of pregnancy, voicing... Read More

    NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that he’d support a national ban on abortions around 15 weeks of pregnancy, voicing for the first time support for a specific limit on the procedure. The Republican former president has taken credit for striking down a federally guaranteed right... Read More

    March 15, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    EPA Sets Tougher Limits on Gas Used to Sterilize Medical Devices

    WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday finalized tougher restrictions on ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing gas commonly used to... Read More

    WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday finalized tougher restrictions on ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing gas commonly used to sterilize medical devices. The new standards specifically target commercial sterilization facilities. The agency called them “the strongest measures in U.S. history to reduce emissions of EtO,”... Read More

    March 15, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    EPA Proposes New Limits on Gas Distribution Facilities

    WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday finalized a rule strengthening toxic air pollution standards at gasoline distribution facilities,... Read More

    WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday finalized a rule strengthening toxic air pollution standards at gasoline distribution facilities, including storage tanks, loading operations and equipment leaks.  The action — from which gas stations are exempt — is expected to reduce emissions of air toxics,... Read More

    News From The Well
    scroll top