Today, the FCC has changed its rules to help prevent phone numbering resources from being abused by robocallers.
The Commission has found that scam callers are using VoIP providers with access to numbering services to work around the STIR/SHAKEN caller ID authentication and continue making calls. Scammers are known for obtaining multiple numbers to avoid robocall prevention.
Today, the FCC today applied disclosure requirements to VoIP providers to prevent that from happening. The rules will require all ” VoIP providers with direct access to phone numbers to certify and disclose information about robocall compliance, public safety, and national security,” according to the announcement. Those rules were already in place for new applicants but were not required for existing providers. “Affected direct access authorization holders will be required to file the updated requirements within 30 days of the effective date of these rules in order to maintain their authorizations.”
This is the latest in the FCC’s efforts to reduce phone call scams. Recently, rules were put in place to block fake U.S. area codes coming from callers outside of the U.S. Following that decision, the FCC announced that it would discuss further actions at today’s December Open Commission Meeting.
The FCC is also seeking comment on how else it can work toward preventing robocall scams.