FCC Aims to Stop Scam Calls with Tougher Customer ID Rules

You might care about this because the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, wants to stop annoying and harmful scam calls. They are suggesting new rules to make it harder for scammers to make these calls and easier for law enforcement to catch them. This proposal tries to close the gaps in their current "Know Your Customer" (KYC) rules. KYC rules usually mean phone companies must know who their customers are. The FCC is asking for public comments on several ideas. They want phone companies to collect more identification details from new and existing customers. These companies would also need to check, keep, and re-check this customer information regularly. The FCC is also thinking about asking for even more details from customers who make a lot of calls, like large businesses or foreign callers. These new rules would work alongside other efforts the FCC is making, such as rules about showing a caller's name or brand. Finally, the FCC is suggesting that if a company breaks these KYC rules, they could face penalties for each illegal call made. The main goal is to prevent scammers from using phone networks and to make it easier to act against them if they do. This proposed rule is particularly interesting because it takes a direct approach to stopping phone scams. Right now, criminals often use phone services anonymously to trick people and to help with other crimes. By making KYC rules stronger, the FCC aims to make it much harder for these scammers to hide their identities when they sign up for phone service. The FCC even suggests that the way banks prevent money laundering could be a good model for these new rules, showing how serious they are about this issue. One important detail is the idea of charging penalties for each illegal call made when a company does not follow KYC rules. This could mean big fines for companies that look the other way, which could be a strong reason for them to be more careful. This effort is not alone; it is part of the FCC's larger plan to fight illegal calls. This plan includes stopping access to phone numbers, blocking calls, and clearly labeling calls. This means the FCC is attacking the problem from many angles, trying to cut off scammers at the source. The move to consider how AI might help with KYC, and how to balance privacy concerns, also makes this proposal forward-looking. Many different groups of people should pay close attention to this legal document. First, anyone who uses a phone or gets calls could be interested, especially if you are tired of scam calls. These rules are designed to protect everyday consumers from fraud and unwanted interruptions. Second, telecommunication companies, especially those that provide phone services, will find this very relevant. They are the ones who will need to collect, verify, and store customer information according to these new rules. This could mean changes to how they do business and new costs for compliance. Businesses that make many calls, such as marketing firms, educational institutions, or political campaigns, also need to know about this. They might be asked to provide more information about how they use phone services. Developers of technology, especially those working on artificial intelligence or automated identity verification systems, might also be interested in how the FCC views their tools. Finally, legal professionals who work with telecommunications law, consumer protection, or regulatory compliance will need to understand these changes to advise their clients properly. Small phone service providers are also a focus, as the FCC is asking how to avoid placing too much burden on them.