Att'y Gen. Drummond calls on FCC to strengthen process blocking more robocallers

Drummond calls on FCC to strengthen process blocking more robocallers

OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 18, 2024) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to improve its Robocall Mitigation Database that could reduce illegal robocalls. He is working with 46 other attorneys general to close a loophole in the database that allows bad actors to have access to the U.S. telephone network. 

Registration on the FCC’s Robocall Mitigation Database is required to operate as a voice service provider. Since it went live in 2021, however, the database has done little to prevent scammers from obtaining legitimate registrations to make illegal robocalls. Companies have submitted non-vetted information, and voice service providers have faced no consequences for filing inaccurate, false, misleading or incomplete information. 

Legislature passes bill to restrict telemarketing calls

Sounds nice, and also totally unenforceable. 🤷‍♂️

Senate votes to hang up on annoying solicitation calls; sends bill to governor

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 26th) – Oklahomans could be getting fewer irritating solicitation calls thanks to legislation unanimously approved Tuesday by the Senate. House Bill 3168, by Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, creates the Telephone Solicitation Act of 2022, which would prohibit numerous types of marketing calls and set strict parameters on when others can be made.

AG O'Connor urges effort to stop robocalls from misusing legit phone numbers

Attorney General John O'Connor Urges Effort to Stop Robocallers From Misusing Legitimate Phone Numbers

OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 15th) - Attorney General John O'Connor today wrote the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in support of its efforts to reduce illegal robocallers’ access to legitimate phone numbers to make unending robocalls that scam people out of their hard-earned money. The comment letter to the FCC was led by North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody.

"Illegal robocalls are not only a nuisance but can also lead to Oklahomans falling victim to fraud and scams. I'm proud to join this coalition of attorneys general to urge the FCC to take action to prevent and investigate illegal robocalls," said Attorney General John O'Connor. 

Earlier this year, phone companies were required to implement STIR/SHAKEN – caller ID authentication technology to combat spoofing by ensuring that telephone calls originate from verified numbers. Because the technology prevents robocallers from spoofing phone numbers, scam robocalls have dropped by 29 percent since June as the phone industry continues to put STIR/SHAKEN into effect.

Robocallers are now successfully evading caller ID authentication by purchasing access to legitimate phone numbers to conceal their identities. They typically do this by providing false identifying information to, or otherwise shielding their identities from, the companies that have access to legitimate numbers. 

OK Attorney Gen O’Connor calls for faster implementation of Anti-Robocall technology

Attorney General O’Connor Calls for Faster Implementation of Anti-Robocall Technology

OKLAHOMA CITY - Attorney General John O’Connor today urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to fight back against illegal robocalls and caller ID spoofing by moving up the deadline for telephone companies to implement caller ID technology.

The current deadline for compliance for some companies isn’t until June 2023.

Attorney general O’Connor said the deadline is too far away.

“Oklahomans are being victimized by these unlawful robocalls and spoofing,” Attorney General O’Connor said. “That is why the deadline for companies to comply needs to be sooner than later. Oklahomans, mainly our elderly, who are our most vulnerable are being preyed upon and in some instances having their identities stolen or having money stolen from them. That is why I joined the large, bipartisan group of my colleagues to encourage the FCC to move up the deadline.”

There were 51 attorneys general who signed the letter to the FCC.

Hilbert files bill to crack down on telemarketers and scam calls

Hilbert Files Legislation to Crack Down on Telemarketers and Scam Calls

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives will consider legislation to prevent telemarketers from replicating numbers and misrepresenting the origin of a phone call.

Rep. Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow) on Thursday filed House Bill 3081 to prohibit callers from tampering with information displayed on caller IDs to disguise their identities. This practice is known as caller ID spoofing and is commonly used by telemarketers and scammers.

Hilbert said while the ultimate solution to this problem lies at the federal level, and through the work Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter is doing with federal regulators, Oklahoma should take steps now to cut down on spam phone calls.

“We must do everything in our power as a state to limit these calls,” Hilbert said. “We need to give Oklahoma prosecutors every tool possible to hold accountable the morally bankrupt individuals who run these telephone scams on the elderly and the vulnerable.”

Hilbert said the idea came from a similar bill passed in Texas last year.

Sen. James Leewright (R-Bristow) will serve as the Senate author.

“Every Oklahoman has experienced firsthand how frustrating it is to answer a call with your area code only to be met with an automated telemarketer or scammer,” Leewright said. “Until Washington takes strong action to prohibit these dishonest and unethical practices, Oklahoma needs to take steps to cut down on caller ID spoofing within our state.” 

Joe Ann Vermillion, Oklahoma state volunteer president for AARP, says the organization is in support of the bill.

“AARP is pleased to see Oklahoma legislators taking action on preventing these predatory telemarketing practices that prey upon our citizens,” Vermillion said. “AARP research shows that three in five adults pick up calls from a local area code, and 44 percent will answer calls from an area code where friends or families live. This legislation will empower all Oklahomans to gain an upper hand on the criminals utilizing spoofing to steal our identities and hard-earned money.”

The second session of the 57th Legislature will begin Monday, Feb. 3 at noon with the State of the State address from Gov. Kevin Stitt in the House Chamber.

Rep. Kyle Hilbert, a Republican, serves District 29 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Atty Gen. Hunter comments on FCC cracking down on Caller ID spoofing

Attorney General Hunter Releases Statement on FCC Commission Approving Measure to Ban Caller ID Spoofing in Text Messages and International Calls

OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Mike Hunter today commended Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for voting to implement rules to ban caller ID spoofing in text messages and international calls.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai originally proposed the rules to the commission in July following the recommendations of a bipartisan coalition of 42 state attorneys general, including Attorney General Hunter, in May.

The new rules amend the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009 by implementing federal legislation passed in 2018 that makes spoofing from international call centers and text messages illegal. The act previously prohibited misleading caller ID spoofing from domestic callers only. It did not prohibit overseas calls and text messages.

The rules will also give the FCC the authority to bring enforcement actions against those sending the fraudulent text messages and making the falsely identified calls from overseas.

Attorney General Hunter commended the FCC and Chairman Pai for taking meaningful action to help consumers.

“During our recent meeting, Chairman Pai said his top consumer protection priority was combatting unlawful robocalls and caller ID spoofing,” Attorney General Hunter said. “Thanks to his leadership and action taken by the FCC, progress is being made in our fight to combat these crimes that are causing real harm to Americans. These latest measures will close loopholes in the Truth in Caller ID Act and give law enforcement the ability to go after the criminals who are preying on consumers. My office remains dedicated to assisting our federal partners on this front to end these scams and better protect Oklahomans.”

According to the FCC, the scam involves fraudsters working in overseas call centers pretending to call from trusted organizations and using pressure tactics to deceive and defraud American consumers of money and personal information. Caller ID spoofing is used in these cases by the scammers to make their phone number appear to match the organization they are pretending to represent.

In the first six months of this year, the FCC has received more than 35,000 complaints about caller ID spoofing.

More on today’s announcement, here: https://bit.ly/2KjEe7G.

For more on steps Attorney General Hunter has taken to combat illegal robocalls, click here: https://bit.ly/2OzfEVP.

For more on what the FCC is doing to combat illegal robocalls and spoofing, click here: https://bit.ly/2UBVUDo.

People and Spam

Spam.

We all hate it.

We despise it with a passion.

We've had too much of it.

Sometimes, it can almost make you sick.


No, I'm not talking about that product that you bought way too much of for Y2K, and ended up eating for the next three years. I'm talking about the electronic kind of spam. (But on a side note, seriously, who eats a spamburger?!)

I don't know how they work, but spammers have got to be the most prolific computer users in history. And for some reason, they seem to by-and-large claim West Africa as their home. I have no idea why they do, but that is typically the case.

I recently received two spam messages that caught my eye on the way to the 'delete forever' button. Both took an angle that was aimed at Christian recipients.

Excerpts from email number one:

From Mrs. Juliana Kwame.
Address: 112 cocody,
Abidjan Cote d' Ivoire West Africa.
Urgent help.

Please use this money for the Churches and Less Privileged in the world.Greetings to you and your family in the name of God,in my search for a reliable and God fearing person and having gotten your contact through prayers and pains taking efforts via searching i made on the internet on my bed side.

Recently,my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next Eight months due to cancer problem. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to a church/Islamics [I think they slipped up there] or a God fearing person that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein.I want a church/God fearing person that will use this fund for orphanages, widows, propagating the word of God and to endeavor that the house of God is maintained.

The Bible made us to understand that "Blessed is the hand that giveth". I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my late husband's relatives are not Christians and I don't want my late husband's efforts to be used by unbelievers.

I don't want a situation where this money will beused in an ungodly way. This is why I am taking this decision.I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that "the lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace".

I want you and the church to always pray for me because the lord is my shephard. My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian.Whoever that Wants to serve the Lord must serve him in spirit and Truth. Please always be prayerful all through your life and pray to God to forgive me my sins.
Pls send this informations of yours,so that i will present you to the Bank as my partner whom i will want the Bank to transfer this money into your account in your country for family use.

Hoping to receive your reply.
Remain blessed in the Lord.

Your's Sister In Christ,
Mrs. Juliana Kwame

This spammer was obviously knowledgeable of Christian vocabulary, and thought that could appeal to some unsuspecting, gullible believer.

Excerpts from email number two:

Urgent Attention:
Hello Dear,
My name is Sgt Russell LEE Billington am an American soldier,presently serving in the Supply,Logistics and Relief Unit of the first Armoured Div of the US Army in Iraq.
As you maybe aware,we are constantly being attacked by insurgents and sucide Bombers. During one of the heavy attacks againts our unit, my colleague Sgt Amanda and I managed to secure some fund which was a part of UNITED NATIONS relief package for displaced refugees.

The total amount is US$20 Million dollars in cash, mostly 100 dollar bills.we are in need of a realible and God fearing civilian of non American origin in whose custody we can entrust this funds pending our disengagement from the front line.

Your contact came handy after Sgt Amanda and I agreed to pray and fast for 3 days in order that we may be lead to find the right individual to deal with in this matter.On browsing through the web the next day Sgt Amanda ran into your profile on the web,and she insisted that she believed that discovering your mail contact was a divine occurance after which we both agreed to contact you in the hope that you will agree to be our trustee for this fund.

Now we look forward to your prompt response to this,indicating your willingness or otherwise to work with us to secure this fund for the good of the three of us.
In responding to this mail kindly furnish us with your personal details and direct contact details.So that we can go further to explain to you how we intend to get the funds to you and work out the basis of trust and understanding as well as how to appropriate shares to each parties.
Please do not respond to this if you cannot be totally trusted.Looking forward to read from you soon.
Respond only on the email below for privacy policy.

Best regards
Sgt.Lee Billington
at bahgdad(Iraq)

This one really bothers me - exploiting our troops for spamming.

I can't help but notice how every spam email I've seen had horrible spelling and/or grammar, especially the "Nigerian" messages (which must mean that English is not the mother tongue for most of the spammers, especially given the syntax of their grammar. Have you ever noticed how people who didn't speak English as a first language tend to switch words around, i.e. ending an interrogative sentence with 'yes' or 'no'?).

The abuse of the troops or Christianity like this rubs me the wrong way. The gall of these people...