SCIENCE + TECHNOLOGY

Utah AG asks FCC to hasten rollout of system to prevent illegal robocalls

Aug 13, 2021, 2:42 PM

prevent robocalls...

Utah officials are asking the FCC to speed up implementation of new system that further curbs illegal robocalls. Photo: Canva.

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Attorney General’s Office and the Utah Division of Consumer Protection say people are sick and tired of the never-ending stream of annoying and illegal robocalls.  They’re calling for federal officials to speed up the rollout of technology that could prevent many of these calls from being made.

How many times have you been contacted about your car’s extended warranty? Has “a law enforcement agency” ever contacted you about a warrant for your arrest? Or, have you received a pre-recorded message from the Fraternal Order of Police asking for donations?

RELATED:  Investigators talk about “moneygrubbers” in elderly Medicare fraud

These are some of the more popular outgoing messages scammers are using these days. Division of Consumer Protection Director Daniel O’Bannon says scammers can essentially spoof any number to trick people into picking up the phone. 

“To me, the most egregious example of this that I had a few years ago was when my own cell phone number called my cell phone,” O’Bannon says.

There is a system already in place that can weed out many calls from spoofed numbers. It’s called STIR/SHAKEN, and O’Bannon says larger telecommunication companies have already integrated this technology into their systems.

“What the STIR/SHAKEN protocols do is create a process where calls are more carefully validated,” O’Bannon said.

RELATED:  ‘Dirt into gold’ scam lands two Utah men in federal prison

Smaller companies have until June 2023 to implement STIR/SHAKEN. And O’Bannon says that delay may be part of the problem.

“Some of these smaller companies, a subset of these smaller companies, are originating a really high volume of these calls,” he said.

O’Bannon and the Utah Attorney General’s Office want the FCC to move that deadline ahead by a full year.

RELATED: “Mask exemption card” is fraudulent says Utah Department of Health

“We’re saying move the deadline from 2023 to 2022,” according to O’Bannon.

Both offices say robocalls are among the top complaints they receive.

 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

Science + Technology

Linda Yaccarino, here in 2022, is leaving NBCUniversal amid reports that Elon Musk has selected her...

Chris Isidore

Elon Musk names NBCU ad chief Linda Yaccarino as Twitter CEO

 (CNN) — Elon Musk on Friday named longtime media executive Linda Yaccarino as the new CEO of Twitter, months after he promised to step back from the role. “I am excited to welcome Linda Yaccarino as the new CEO of Twitter!” Musk wrote in a tweet on Friday. He said she “will focus primarily on business operations, […]

11 months ago

twitter building shown, a new ceo will replace elon musk...

Chris Isidore, CNN

Twitter’s new CEO is an NBCUniversal executive with deep ad industry ties

Elon Musk confirmed that the new CEO for Twitter will be NBCUniversal’s Linda Yaccarino, an executive with deep ties to the advertising industry. “I am excited to welcome Linda Yaccarino as the new CEO of Twitter!” Musk wrote in a Friday tweet. He added that Yaccarino “will focus primarily on business operations” while Musk will […]

11 months ago

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai speaks at a Google I/O event in Mountain View, Calif., Wednesday, May 10...

MICHAEL LIEDTKE AP Technology Writer

Google is giving its dominant search engine an artificial-intelligence makeover

Google has disclosed plans to infuse its dominant search engine with more advanced artificial-intelligence technology.

11 months ago

Multiple facial features are placed together to create a face -- AI is being used to impersonate pe...

Curt Gresseth

How to spot a fake when AI is used in kidnapping and extortion schemes

Artificial intelligence has found its way into science, education, social media and much more. Now, AI has made its way into scams.

11 months ago

A giant A and I are pictured -- would an AI chatbot replace human interaction?...

Samantha Herrera

Combatting loneliness with AI? It may be a slippery slope

As AI technology continues getting more and more sophisticated, there's a concern that something like a chatbot could replace real social interaction.

11 months ago

tiktok logo is shown, kids' social media use is under scrutiny from health officials...

Peter Johnston

APA urges adults to limit kids’ social media use

Kids' social media use should not be without guidance and oversight from parents, an advisory from the American Psychological Association said.

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Utah AG asks FCC to hasten rollout of system to prevent illegal robocalls