The Federal Communications Commission’s Robocall Response Team issued a cease and desist order requiring Solid Double and CallWin to halt transmissions of robocalls originating from their networks that target U.S. consumers.
The order requires the companies to investigate illegal traffic originating on their networks, determine the source, and block new and returning customers from generating robocalls. Solid Double and CallWin have 48 hours to report to the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau detailing steps taken to mitigate spam calls and 14 days to provide the Bureau with a plan to stop it.
“This is an excellent example of a private company working with the Enforcement Bureau to identify bad actors using its business telephone number to trick consumers,” said Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan Egal. “The FCC’s enforcement tools allow us to track down those facilitating illegal robocall campaigns, warn them to stop, and, if they persist, cut them off quickly.”
The letter sent to Solid Double is the first enforcement action the FCC has taken in response to several complaints received through the Private Entity Robocall and Spoofing Portal. The portal was established to aid the TRACED Act to gather tips on robocalls and spoofing that come from private entities like small businesses.
The Bureau opened an investigation on Solid Double after a company filed a complaint with the Private Entity Robocall and Spoofing Portal that robocallers used their number to contact consumers about a fake grant program. The Bureau named Sham Telecom as one source of illegal calls.
The Industry Traceback Group investigated CallWin after Verizon Wireless customers flagged illegal robocalls made without their consent. The Bureau reviewed pre-recorded voice messages from Pro American Solar and the Medicare Department at Healthcare Benefits originating from CallWin.
The FCC has serious consequences for companies that allow illegal calls on their networks. They can be removed from the Robocall Mitigation Database, meaning other providers won’t accept their traffic. If Solid Double and CallWin fail to stop robocalls, downstream providers will block them.
“If robocallers continue to make illegal calls that target consumers, we’re prepared to use every tool in our toolbox to knock them offline and hold these violators accountable,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.