Spam calls remain unabated, according to a recent report, as telecommunication companies struggle to implement effective measures to combat the issue.
In a recent report by the PIRG Education Fund, it was revealed that three out of the four largest cell phone companies in the United States charge their customers a monthly fee for extra protection against robocalls and scams. The report, which evaluated 24 of the largest phone companies in the country, graded them on their robocall and scam text defenses.
Half of the companies received "D" or "F" grades, primarily for failing to offer optional services like on-screen scam warnings or the ability to block calls without caller ID. The report also evaluated both legally required protections and additional, optional, consumer-friendly services offered by phone companies, many of which fell short on the optional services.
Teresa Murray, Consumer Watchdog at U.S. PIRG, finds the lack of progress in robocall and scam text protections deeply frustrating. "Robocalls and texts have been a growing issue for years, and it's disappointing to see that some companies aren't doing enough to protect their customers," she said.
The report also criticized the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for not doing enough to enforce the implementation of anti-robocall technology. In 2019, Congress passed a law requiring phone companies to install anti-robocall technology, which took effect in the middle of 2021. However, as of the end of last year, less than half of the phone companies in the U.S. had fully implemented the technology.
To avoid robocalls, Murray recommends registering all numbers on the national Do Not Call registry. She also advises not to pay anyone unexpectedly or share personal information like name, address, or shoe size with unknown callers. Murray emphasizes the importance of being cautious when dealing with unknown callers or texts to avoid scams.
It's worth noting that Teresa Murray did not receive a response from the companies mentioned in the report when InvestigateTV contacted them. The specific companies that received low grades in the PIRG Education Fund report were not disclosed in the report or in the search results.
Despite the lack of response from the companies, Murray remains hopeful that they will take action to improve their robocall and scam text protections. "It's crucial that phone companies prioritize their customers' safety and privacy," she said. "I urge them to take this issue seriously and implement the necessary measures to protect their customers from robocalls and scam texts."
- The lack of progress in robocall and scam text protections, as highlighted in Teresa Murray's report, extends to the financial sector as well, with many companies failing to offer optional services that could better protect customers from such nuisances.
- As technology advances, it becomes increasingly important for general-news outlets to pay closer attention to developments in areas like finance, particularly when they have the potential to impact consumer protection, such as in the case of anti-robocall technology.
