AG Racine Announces New Partnership with the Federal Communications Commission to Protect District Residents from Harmful and Illegal Robocalls

Partnership Builds on OAG’s Continued Effort to Stop Illegal Robocall Scams & Protect DC Residents

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Attorney General Karl A. Racine today announced a federal-local partnership with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to investigate robocalls and to coordinate their efforts to safeguard District residents from these calls. 

Signed today, this new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will allow the Office of Attorney General (OAG) and the FCC to share investigative information regarding spoofing and robocall scam campaigns in an effort to protect DC consumers and businesses. 

“Unwanted and illegal robocall scams are on the rise, and many District residents are unaware of the protections available to help them avoid becoming a target. I urge District residents to register for the national ‘Do Not Call’ list, ignore anonymous calls, use a blocking service, and think twice before sharing your phone number,” said AG Racine. “With this new federal-local partnership, we are increasing the tools in our toolbox to help crack down on these annoying and harmful calls DC consumers receive and further enforce the District’s consumer protection laws.”

Illegal robocalls are phone calls made using an automated dialer or that deliver pre-recorded messages. They are often used as part of scams. These calls violate federal law, including the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, as well DC’s consumer protection laws, which make it unlawful to engage in illegal marketing with consumers. 

Under the MOU, OAG and the FCC will not have to duplicate investigative efforts used to crack down on this illegal practice. Attorneys General and the FCC can now work together to seek records, talk to witnesses, interview victims targeting by these calls, examine consumer complaints, and take other critical steps to build a record against possible bad actors. More than 20 states are participating in this partnership, including the District.

Background 
This partnership is part of the OAG’s ongoing efforts to help stem the tide of these pre-recoded calls. In 2018, AG Racine joined a bipartisan coalition of 35 attorneys general in urging the FCC to strengthen protections against robocalls. In 2019, AG Racine joined a group of attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission in a public education campaign called “Operation Call it Quits,” teaching consumers how to stop unwanted calls on a mobile phone, on a landline, and if they’re home phone uses the internet. In November 2021, AG Racine joined the Attorney Generals of all 50 states in supporting the FCC’s efforts to reduce robocalls. In January, AG Racine joined a bipartisan group of attorneys general calling on the FCC to crack down on international robocalls to help protect residents from scams and harassment.  

OAG works to educate District residents about their rights regarding robocall scams, responds to individual consumer complaints, and takes appropriate enforcement action when possible. Learn more about your rights and how to avoid telemarketing scams.