Citing an increase in consumer complaints about telemarketing and robo-calls, Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin today urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow phone companies to utilize call-blocking technologies that would better protect consumers from unwanted calls and scams.
Call-blocking technologies, such as NoMoRobo, Call Control, and Telemarketing Guard, have been developed to enable phone carriers to identify and block unwelcome sales calls at their customers' request. However, some phone carriers have not implemented this technology, in part because of the belief that federal law prevents carriers from blocking calls on their consumers' behalf.
"Based on the number of consumer complaints we receive, it is clear that despite state and federal enforcement efforts, our citizens continue to be harassed by unwanted sales and telemarketing calls," said Attorney General Kilmartin. "If we are to find a solution once and for all, we need the telephone carriers to be partners in this effort. The technology exists, but we need clarification from the FCC on the authority of the telephone carriers to do so."
In a letter signed by 39 state and territorial attorneys general, Attorney General Kilmartin filed official comments today with the FCC. The letter urges the commission to recognize call-blocking filters as legally appropriate, if requested by customers.
Phone carriers have expressed concern that the FCC's legal framework prohibits phone companies from determining which calls should be allowed to go through to a customer and which should be blocked. Last year, in explaining the obstacles that phone carriers face in implementing call-blocking technologies, US Telecom wrote to the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance that "the FCC has concluded that call blocking is an unjust and unreasonable practice under section 201(b) of the Communications Act of 1934."
In the letter to the FCC, Attorney General Kilmartin asks for a formal opinion on whether an exception can be made to allow companies to block illegal telemarketing calls at the request of a consumer.
Kilmartin reminded Rhode Islanders to sign up for the national Do Not Call list, which helps deter unwanted and fraudulent calls and text messages, by visiting www.donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222, where consumers can register their home or mobile phone for free.