Consumer Alert

Attorneys General Urge FCC to Allow Use of Call-Blocking Technologies by Phone Companies

Attorney General Michael Geraghty and 38 other attorneys general today urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow phone companies to use call-blocking technologies to better protect consumers from unwanted calls and scams.

Call-blocking technologies, such as NoMoRobo, Call Control, and Telemarketing Guard, allow phone carriers to identify and block unwelcome sales calls at their customers’ request. However, some phone carriers have not implemented this technology, in part because they believe that federal law prevents carriers from blocking calls on their consumers’ behalf.

The letter from the attorneys general asks for a formal opinion regarding the legal ability of phone companies to block illegal telemarketing calls at the request of a consumer.

Attorney General Geraghty reminds Alaskans that they can reduce the number of unwanted telemarketing calls by signing up for the national Do Not Call registry.  Alaskans who have registered their phone numbers and subsequently receive unwanted sales calls should file a complaint with the Alaska Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit. 

For more information:

• Review the letter to the FCC
• How to sign up for Do Not Call
• How to file a consumer complaint

Consumer Protection Unit
September 2014