If you feel that you’ve been a victim of a scam by a business or individual, then you may want to get to know the United States’ Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP). The BCP there to conduct investigations and stop unfair, fraudulent or deceptive business practices.
For example, there is a major uptick in robocalls that you may have noticed. These are random numbers calling your phone multiple times a day. They are generally automated, and when you answer, you’ll end up speaking with a robot.
The FTC has brought numerous lawsuits against companies that violate “Do Not Call requests.” It has also gone after people using false caller ID information to make illegal calls from all over the world.
Are robocalls legal?
Sometimes. If you’ve given a company permission to call your phone, then they can reach out to you through a robocall. If you’re getting a large number of calls trying to sell you various things, then the calls are generally illegal. Companies need to have written permission to use robocallers to reach out to you. Only political calls, charities and few exempted kinds of calls are allowed without asking for your permission, according to the FTC.
How is the Federal Trade Commission tackling robocallers?
Today, the FTC holds amazing robocall contests, which challenge tech gurus to come up with new tools that are able to identify and stop robocalls from making it to the consumer. There are also industry-wide efforts being taken to reduce the likelihood of spoofing.
If you have been scammed by a robocall, you should look into your legal options. Many times, these companies can be found and charged for their illegal acts.
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