Big Idea

• Over 50 attorney generals are forming a national Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force
• This is a bipartisan coalition
• Robocalls are considered a threat to privacy and security
• More than 33M scam robocalls are made to Americans every day
• Read more… 

Attorney Generals across the country say it’s time to stop robocalls

PHOENIX – Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced today that Arizona is joining a nationwide Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force of 50 attorneys general to investigate and take legal action against the telecommunications companies responsible for bringing a majority of foreign robocalls into the United States. 

"Foreign robocalls have become a threat to our privacy and security, and they need to be stopped," said General Brnovich. "Our bipartisan coalition seeks to end these illegal and unwanted calls and ensure that offenders are held accountable."

The task force has issued 20 civil investigative demands to 20 gateway providers and other entities that are allegedly responsible for a majority of foreign robocall traffic. Gateway providers bringing foreign traffic into the U.S. telephone network have a responsibility to ensure the traffic is legal, but in many cases, they appear to be intentionally turning a blind eye in return for steady revenue. 

According to the National Consumer Law Center and Electronic Privacy Information Center, more than 33 million scam robocalls are made to Americans every day.  In 2021, scammers stole an estimated $29.8 billion through robocalls, most of which originated overseas.
  
General Brnovich offers the following tips to avoid scams and unwanted calls:

• Never give personal information or payment to unsolicited callers no matter who they claim to be.
• Hang up on callers who ask you to pay by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. 
• Look out for pre-recorded calls from imposters posing as government agencies. Typically, the Social Security Administration does not make phone calls to individuals.
• If you suspect fraudulent activity, immediately hang up, and do not provide any personal information.

If you believe you have been the victim of consumer fraud, you can file a consumer complaint by visiting the Attorney General’s website. If you need a complaint form sent to you, contact the Attorney General’s Office in Phoenix at (602) 542-5763, in Tucson at (520) 628-6648, or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at (800) 352-8431.