Attorneys general from 48 states and D.C. have filed suit against Avid Telecom alleging it made over 75 billion illegal robocalls over five years.
The lawsuit filed in federal court in Arizona alleges that Avid Telecom violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) by making calls to people registered on the National Do Not Call Registry and engaging in deceptive practices such as falsifying caller ID numbers to make it appear that calls came from legitimate businesses.
Attorneys general have initiated legal proceedings against Avid Telecom to secure damages for consumers harmed by its illegal robocalls, as well as prevent them from making further calls in the future.
“This lawsuit marks a critical milestone in our fight against illegal robocalls,” stated Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich. “We will not tolerate companies who break the law and harass consumers with unwanted calls.”
Law enforcement officials have made efforts to curb illegal robocalls. In 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) fined Avid Telecom $10 million for making illegal calls through Avid Telecom’s illegal service provider account.
The FCC has taken measures to make robocallers’ operations more difficult, adopting new regulations in 2021 requiring carriers to block these calls before reaching consumers’ phones.
Avid Telecom’s lawsuit shows how law enforcement is taking the problem of illegal robocalls seriously and sending a signal that those engaging in these practices will be held accountable.
IF YOU have received an illegal robocall, you can report it directly to the FCC by visiting their website or calling 1-888-CALL-FCC. In addition, it would also be wise to report any such activity with your state Attorney General’s office.
Source: CBS News