The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently dealt a significant blow to an international network of companies engaged in a massive auto warranty scam robocalling operation. This complex scheme involved placing more than five billion robocalls to over 500 million phone numbers in just three months.

Violating federal statutes, FCC regulations, and spoofing laws, the scammers attempted to deceive victims by using over a million different caller ID numbers. Such deceptive tactics aimed to trick individuals into answering the calls, exposing them to fraudulent auto warranty offers and potential harm to their personal and financial information.

Unraveling the Complex Robocalling Operation

The FCC’s relentless pursuit of justice led to the discovery of the largest illegal robocalling operation ever investigated by the agency. For over three years, this transnational enterprise, operating under various names such as Sumco Panama, Virtual Telecom, Davis Telecom, and more, orchestrated a sophisticated vehicle service contract scheme.

Disguised as auto warranty sales, the scam targeted unsuspecting consumers with fake claims, pre-recorded voice calls, and unauthorized telemarketing tactics.

The Multitude of Robocall Prohibitions Violated

Throughout its fraudulent campaign, the robocalling operation broke numerous robocall prohibitions set by the FCC. They engaged in unsolicited pre-recorded voice calls to mobile phones without prior express consent, placed telemarketing calls without written consent, and dialed numbers listed on the National Do Not Call Registry.

Moreover, the scammers failed to identify themselves at the beginning of the call, preventing victims from making informed decisions, and omitted providing a call-back number to opt-out of future calls. Additionally, they further violated federal spoofing laws by employing misleading caller IDs, further complicating their detection and accountability.

Central Players and Lifetime Bans

Two key figures in this massive robocalling operation were Roy M. Cox and Aaron Michael Jones. Both had been previously hit with lifetime bans on telemarketing following lawsuits from the Federal Trade Commission and the State of Texas.

Despite these bans, they continued their illegal activities, contributing to the enterprise’s deception.

FCC’s Action and Results

Taking swift action, the FCC directed all U.S.-based voice service providers to cease carrying traffic associated with certain members of the operation, effectively blocking 99% of illegal auto warranty robocalls. Partnering with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the FCC coordinated its efforts to combat the robocalling scheme.

This collaborative approach yielded significant results, ultimately leading to a record-breaking $300 million fine, the largest in FCC history.

Empowering Victims Against Robocalling Scams

If you’ve been affected by these auto warranty scam robocalls, you have the right to seek justice. The FCC’s actions send a powerful message against robocalling scams, but individual victims should also take action to protect themselves and hold violators accountable.

If you received unsolicited robocalls, or if your personal information has been compromised by fraudulent telemarketing schemes, don’t hesitate to contact our law firm for a free consultation. Our experienced team is dedicated to supporting victims and pursuing justice on their behalf.

Protect your rights and privacy by contacting our law firm today. We understand the frustration and concern caused by illegal robocalls, and we are here to provide you with the support and assistance you need. Our free consultation will assess your situation, answer your questions, and guide you through the process of seeking compensation for the damages caused by these fraudulent robocalls. Together, let’s put an end to robocalling scams and safeguard consumers from further harm. Take action now and reclaim your peace of mind.

Sources:

• FCC’s Record Penalty Against Auto Warranty Robocall Scammers: Protecting Consumers from Deceptive Calls | lemonlawclaims.com
• FCC Imposes Record Fine on Transnational Illegal Robocalling Operation | FCC