robocall

What is a robocall?

Robocalls are automated telephone calls that deliver a recorded message. Some robocalls deliver useful information, while others are scams.

Robocalls are delivered using autodialing software. Sometimes, robocalls use caller ID spoofing to make the recipient believe that the call is coming from a different number, usually to increase the chances that the recipient will answer.

In recent years, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has taken measures to prevent unsolicited robocalls. Despite this, robocalls have steadily become more prevalent. Americans receive more than 33 million scam robocalls per day, according to data from the National Consumer Law Center.

When are robocalls used?

Robocalls can be used by legitimate organizations and scammers alike. Some uses for robocalls include the following:

• Market research. Companies conduct surveys through robocalls to gather consumer preference data.
• Polling. Political campaigns use robocalls to record voter responses to a series of polls regarding candidate preferences or societal issues.
• Public service announcements. Public institutions and nonprofit organizations use robocalls for public service announcements, such as school closures, health advisories and emergency alerts.
• Confirmation or follow-up. Businesses use robocalls to send appointment reminders or booking details to the recipient.
• Telemarketing. Businesses use robocalls to contact potential customers with information about products and services.
• Debt collection. Collection agencies use robocalls to remind individuals of outstanding debts. These calls typically include information on how to make a payment or contact the agency for more details.
• Customer service. Businesses use robocalls to inform customers of order status, deliver shipping notifications or notify customers of a change in service availability.
• Political campaigns. Political campaigns use robocalls to promote themselves and remind recipients to participate in political events.
• Fraud. Scammers use robocalls to impersonate legitimate businesses or organizations to trick the recipient into making payments or providing personal information. They might impersonate celebrities, politicians, banks or the IRS, for example.

Some examples of phone scams -- a type of vishing, or voice phishing -- that can involve robocalls include the following:

• Impersonator scams. The scammer pretends to be someone the recipient trusts to get them to reveal sensitive information or provide payment. The scammer might use caller ID spoofing to increase the likelihood of the recipient answering.
• Neighbor spoofing. Neighbor spoofing displays a fake phone number similar to the recipient's number, tricking the recipient into thinking the call is coming from the same area code.
• Debt relief. Scammers offer to help the recipient relieve debt if they pay a fee first.
• Charity scams. Scammers impersonate charities and ask for donations for causes such as disaster relief or support for veterans.
• Loan scams. Scammers guarantee the recipient loans or credit cards in exchange for a fee.

If the user suspects that they are the recipient of a scam call or illegal robocall, they should hang up and refrain from calling the number back. The user should then consider installing a call-blocking app or service, and report the robocall to a reputable institution. Robocalls with the intent to harm, defraud or wrongly obtain anything of value are illegal and face penalties from the FCC.

How to report robocalls

Consumers receiving unwanted robocalls can consider filing a complaint with the FCC at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov. This also applies to consumers whose number is being spoofed, blocked or labeled as spam. Complaints about telephone fraud or telemarketers that do not abide by the National Do Not Call Registry can be filed with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov. If the robocall is specifically an IRS scam, consumers can also file a complaint with the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at www.tigta.gov.

How to get off a robocall list

Consumers can reduce the amount of robocalls they receive by signing up for the FTC's National Do Not Call Registry. This helps them reduce the number of telemarketing calls they receive. Consumers can visit www.donotcall.gov or call (888) 382-1222 to be placed on the registry.

The National Do Not Call Registry is limited to automated sales calls and does not stop scammers or other types of robocalls from dialing the registered number. To reduce calls from these sources, consumers can use call-blocking or call-labeling services. There are different options for mobile phones, landlines and voice over IP phones.

Call blocking and labeling services are usually offered by the consumer's telephone carrier. Apple and Google mobile phones also have built-in features and applications to deal with unknown callers. For example, iPhones have a "Silence Unknown Callers" call screening and blocking feature. The FCC provides an extensive list of resources to help consumers stop unwanted robocalls and texts.

Are robocalls illegal?

Robocalls can be illegal in certain contexts. Their legality depends on the technology used to make the call, whether the call is made to a landline or mobile number, the content of the call, and whether the recipient's number is on the Do Not Call Registry.

Robocalls made using artificial intelligence (AI) to generate voices are illegal in the U.S. under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. The law is meant to curb fraud and misinformation campaigns that bad actors use AI to initiate. AI robocalls became illegal in February 2024, after thousands of calls featuring an AI-generated impersonation of President Joe Biden were made to New Hampshire residents during the state's primary elections. The calls encouraged voters not to participate in the primaries. This law gives the FCC the authority to fine robocallers and block calls from carriers that facilitate robocalls. Under this law, affected recipients can also sue robocallers.

In general, robocalls to mobile phones are legal if the caller obtains prior consent. There are a few exceptions to this rule -- for example, emergency calls regarding danger to life or safety. Robocalls to landlines generally do not require prior consent. Market research and polling calls to home phones are not prohibited by FCC rules. Informational calls such as school closure notifications or flight information do not require prior consent when delivered to a home number.

All prerecorded calls, regardless of their content, are required to identify the caller at the beginning of the message and include a contact phone number.