Maryland Attorney General Launches Second Phase of Robocall Crackdown, Targeting Major Voice Providers

The Maryland Attorney General’s office, in conjunction with the bipartisan Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force, has initiated the second phase of “Operation Robocall Roundup.” This expanded effort focuses on four of the nation’s largest voice service providers: Inteliquent, Bandwidth, Lumen, and Peerless. The investigation aims to curb the flow of suspected illegal robocalls across their networks.

The investigation has issued directives to these companies, instructing them to cease the transmission of potentially unlawful robocalls. Attorney General Anthony G. Brown highlighted the disruptive nature of these calls, stating that they frequently interrupt personal time for Maryland residents. This new phase signifies a strategic shift, moving from smaller providers to larger entities within the telecommunications infrastructure that handle a significant volume of U.S. call traffic. These four companies are reported to be transmitting hundreds of thousands, and in some instances, millions of suspected illegal robocalls.

A traceback notice serves as an official industry alert indicating that a company has facilitated calls linked to alleged illegal robocall campaigns. The specific details of these notices, including the types of scams involved and the estimated volume of robocalls handled by these providers, are outlined in correspondence sent to each company. As major players in the industry, these providers are expected to maintain a higher level of responsibility in identifying and blocking calls from known repeat offenders. Despite receiving numerous traceback notices and being aware of ongoing warnings for years, these companies have continued to route suspected illegal robocalls.

The first phase of Operation Robocall Roundup, which targeted 37 smaller voice providers with warning letters, has already yielded notable results. These outcomes include 13 companies being removed from the Federal Communications Commission’s Robocall Mitigation Database, effectively preventing other U.S. providers from accepting their call traffic. Additionally, 19 companies ceased appearing in traceback results, indicating they stopped routing suspected illegal robocalls. The initiative also led to at least four providers terminating customer accounts identified as transmitting illegal traffic. The Maryland Attorney General’s Office joined the Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force in 2022. The Task Force’s mandate is to investigate and pursue legal action against companies contributing significantly to illegal and fraudulent robocall traffic in the United States.

This ongoing investigation into major voice providers is intended to protect consumers from disruptive and fraudulent telemarketing practices. Residents who continue to receive unwanted robocalls are encouraged to report them to relevant authorities to aid in further enforcement efforts.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office

---