FAIRFAX, Virginia. – Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares is trying to put an end to unwanted robocalls.

We’ve all experienced those unwanted phone calls and they just don’t stop. That’s why Miyares and a bipartisan coalition of 46 attorneys general are calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to improve its Robocall Mitigation Database (RMD) and close what is effectively an unmonitored loophole exploited by bad actors to gain access to the US telephone network.

“When was the last time someone was grateful for a robocall?” » said Miyares. “Not only are robocalls annoying, they can also make billions of dollars through scams targeting the most vulnerable. As scammers become more sophisticated using artificial intelligence and social engineering, Virginians should be increasingly vigilant, knowing that we are doing everything in our power to stop them. these criminals at their source.”

Providers must register on the FCC database to operate as a voice service provider in the United States. However, since going online in 2021, the database has done little to prevent bad actors from obtaining legitimate records to send illegal robocalls through the US telephone network. Companies submitted unverified information, and voice service providers faced no real consequences if they submitted inaccurate, false, misleading, or incomplete information.

The coalition of attorneys general calls on the FCC to strengthen the database so that providers understand what information they must submit and have deadlines for submitting that information, validate data submitted by providers to flag inaccurate or misleading data, penalize suppliers for submitting false or inadequate data. information by preventing them from obtaining authorization to operate and blocking non-compliant providers. If passed, the proposed changes would make it harder for bad actors to access the entire U.S. phone network and prevent more illegal robocalls from reaching people in the United States.

In response, the FCC sent FOX 5 the following information and statement:

In August, the The Commission announced the launch of a regulatory process enhance its robocall mitigation database by increasing accountability and accuracy among reporters, thereby improving the use of the database as a tool to combat unwanted robocalls.

The President issued the following statement after the Commission’s vote in August:

“The bad actors behind robocalls are relentless. To stop them, we must be just as tenacious. That’s why today we’re launching regulations to make the robocall mitigation database more accurate, more effective and more secure In the three years since its launch, the Robocall Mitigation Database has become an important tool that helps the Federal Communications Commission and our enforcement partners. laws to keep an eye on operators and what they are doing to stop unwanted robocalls. But so there is room for improvement here, we are seeking feedback on ways to ensure records in the database are up to date and authenticated. We also question the penalties for false and inaccurate information – Rosenworcel, FCC Chair.

Many Virginians FOX 5 spoke with say the robocalls are abhorrent so they hope something is done soon. One 27-year-old man even admitted that the voices were becoming more and more realistic, causing him to stay on the phone and speak with a scammer for longer than he should have. He even mentioned that his friend’s grandparents were robbed of $10,000 because they believed it was a robocaller. This shows how these criminals affect the most vulnerable in our communities, especially older people who are not as tech savvy.

If you or someone you know is a victim of robocall fraud, please contact the Virginia Consumer Protection Section at by clicking here or by contacting the Virginia Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-552-9963.