UPDATE The FCC Enforcement Bureau ordered phone companies to stop carrying traffic regarding a known robocall scam marketing auto warranties. The calls are coming from Roy Cox, Jr., Aaron Michael Jones, their Sumco Panama companies, and international associates, according to the agency.
Earlier this month, the FCC warned carriers about the scam. Now, the Commission says all U.S. voice service providers must take all necessary steps to avoid carrying this robocall traffic. This operation is also the target of an ongoing investigation by the Commission’s Enforcement Bureau and a lawsuit by the Ohio Attorney General.
“We are not going to tolerate robocall scammers or those that help make their scams possible,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “Consumers are out of patience and I’m right there with them.”
The agency previously authorized providers to cut off the traffic and yesterday’s order requires that they do so. If they do not, providers must regularly report to the FCC of the steps they have taken to mitigate the traffic.
“Now that U.S. voice service providers know the individuals and entities associated with this scheme, the Enforcement Bureau will closely monitor voice service providers’ compliance with this order and take appropriate enforcement action as necessary,” said Acting FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan Egal.
How We Got Here
The FCC said the Cox/Jones/Sumco Panama operation appears to be responsible for making more than eight billion unlawful pre-recorded message calls to American consumers since at least 2018. The robocalls include pre-recorded marketing messages which encouraged consumers to follow prompts to speak with a “warranty specialist” about extending or reinstating their car warranty.
On July 7, the Enforcement Bureau sent cease-and-desist letters to eight voice service providers to warn them to stop carrying this suspicious traffic, Inside Towers reported. The eight are: Call Pipe, Fugle Telecom, Geist Telecom, Global Lynks, Mobi Telecom, SD Telecom, SipKonnect and Virtual Telecom. None have responded to the letters and so, as forewarned, the bureau is directing all other carriers to refuse to carry this traffic.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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