Maryland Attorney General Joins Bipartisan Push for Stricter Robocall Regulations

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, alongside a bipartisan coalition of 48 other state attorneys general, is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to implement stronger regulations aimed at curbing the persistent problem of unlawful robocalls. The attorneys general are specifically calling for measures to cut off scammers’ access to legitimate telephone numbers, a critical step in preventing them from deceiving consumers. This initiative builds upon prior efforts by the Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force, which first brought this issue to the FCC’s attention in 2021.

The impact of scam robocalls on Americans is substantial. Last year alone, consumers received an estimated 29.6 billion scam robocalls and texts, resulting in nearly $2 billion in financial losses. While scammers previously relied heavily on “spoofing” legitimate phone numbers to mask their identities, increased enforcement actions by state and federal authorities have made this tactic more difficult. Consequently, scammers have shifted their strategy to acquiring and utilizing actual phone numbers for their illicit operations. Unlike legitimate businesses that maintain phone numbers for extended periods, scammers frequently cycle through vast quantities of newly acquired numbers, making it challenging for spam filters to detect and block their calls. It is estimated that U.S. consumers were subjected to over 52 billion unlawful robocalls in 2025.

The attorneys general have presented a series of specific proposals to the FCC to address this evolving threat. They advocate for enhanced certification requirements for companies authorized to resell telephone numbers in North America, compelling these entities to disclose how and to whom they assign numbers. Furthermore, the coalition is requesting regular reporting from these companies on the sale and usage of phone numbers, which would equip law enforcement with the ability to trace unlawful robocalls to their origins and hold all parties involved in the transmission chain accountable.

The proposed measures also include a requirement for individuals and organizations seeking to acquire phone numbers to certify that they will not use them for unlawful robocalling. The attorneys general are also pushing for a ban on the sale of phone numbers to entities that are not directly linked to a calling or texting service, as scammers often procure numbers without legitimate service to facilitate their operations. Prohibiting “number cycling,” a practice where numbers are used on a rotating or single-use basis to evade detection, is another key recommendation. Finally, the coalition seeks restrictions on the provision of trial numbers, a loophole that scammers exploit to conduct their fraudulent activities.

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

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