Arkansas robocalls are automated phone calls used to convey pre-recorded information to Arkansas residents. Automatic dialing machines place random calls to pre-selected numbers and deliver recorded messages to such number owners once they answer the calls. Telemarketing companies and political campaigns organizations mostly use them because they are affordable and have a broad reach. A single recorded message can be sent to millions of Arkansans through automatic dialing machines.
Over the years, there has been a spike in the number of robocalls received by Arkansas residents. Phone scammers also favor robocalls and use them to deceive residents in a bid to extort them. As of October 2020, over 479 million robocalls have been placed in Arkansas, and a large percentage of them were scam robocalls. However, the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office and other consumer protection agencies are continually devising initiatives to curb this menace in the state.
What are Arkansas Robocall Scams?
Scammers use robocalls to commit phone scams. They place automated calls to their targets, pass some misleading information, and then ask them to press specific numbers to speak with live agents. Arkansas who act on such instructions end up getting more robocalls and live calls that will lead them to lose money or personal information. Robocall’s wide-reaching ability and its low cost of operations leave Arkansans in danger as any resident can be targeted by robocall scammers. Reverse phone lookup tools can help differentiate robocalls from live phone calls and prevent residents from falling victims to robocall scams.
The Arkansas Attorney General, and the Attorneys General of other states, in 2019, entered an agreement with 12 telephone service providers to fight illegal robocalls. The coalition birthed the Anti-Robocall Principles. One of the agreements reached was for the service providers that participated to ensure the implementation of the STIR/SHAKEN caller authentication system.
How are Robocalls Used in Arkansas Scams?
Fraudsters find robocalls useful in achieving their schemes. Caller ID spoofing, a way of manipulating phone numbers, is usually the norm with phone scammers who engage in robocall scams. They spoof robocalls to get their targets to answer their phones and yield to demands. Most illegal robocalls will instruct call recipients to push specific buttons or leave numbers for them to call back. These tactics are a way of fishing out active numbers and potential scam targets. Persons who call the numbers left by robocalls will get to engage with fraudsters who will then demand some money or request sensitive information. Phone scammers often spoof the phone numbers of legitimate businesses and familiar government agencies. They may claim to be IRS officials and seek payment for back taxes or ask for personal information to help them remit tax refunds.
Authorities warn residents to beware of unknown persons who request payments over the phone via cryptocurrencies, gift cards, prepaid debit cards, and wire transfers. These means of payments are hard to trace or recover. Residents can use applications that offer reverse phone lookup services to identify spoofed robocalls and avoid these scams.
Does Arkansas Have Anti-Robocall Laws?
To complement existing federal anti-robocall laws, the Arkansas Legislature passed the SB514 bill, and it was signed into law by Governor Asa Hutchinson. The bill was titled An Act to Regulate Telecommunications Service Providers and Third-Party Spoofing Providers. It sought to combat the menace of illegal robocalls and phone spoofing while re-classifying these practices as felonies and recommending strict punishments to offenders. Below is a brief history of the legislation:
- March 7, 2019 – The Bill was filed and read at the Senate for the first time. Rules were also suspended to allow the bill to go through second reading. It was subsequently turned over to the Insurance and Commerce Committee.
- March 19, 2019 – Returned from the committee and recommended to be passed as amended.
- March 20, 2019 – Read for corrections and engrossed after amendments.
- March 25, 2019 – Passed third reading and immediately transferred to the House. The House passed it through first and second reading before sending it to their Insurance and Commerce Committee.
- March 27, 2019 – Returned by the committee and recommended to be passed.
- March 28, 2019 – Passed third reading at the House and sent back to the Senate.
- April 1, 2019 – Ordered to be delivered to the Governor.
- April 2, 2019 – Delivered to the Governor.
- April 4, 2019 – Announced as Act 677.
The Act re-classified spoofing and illegal robocalls as Class D Felonies, upgrading both from misdemeanors and implying stiffer punishments for violators. It mandates service providers to submit reports annually to the Arkansas Public Service Commission on measures taken to combat illegal robocalls and spoofing.
Are there Special Requirements for Robocalls in Arkansas?
The SB514, as passed, previously included political campaign calls as part of automated calls prohibited in Arkansas. Section 6 of the bill stated that it is unlawful for any person to use the telephone to offer any goods or services for sale, as well as for political campaigns. It prohibits using robocalls for gathering data and other purposes in connection with a political campaign. Any use that involves an automated system in the dialing of telephone numbers and the playing of recorded messages is forbidden.
However, a federal judge ruled that a ban on the use of automated calls for political purposes is unconstitutional. For any solicitation regarding goods or services, the use of automated phone calls is still prohibited. Consequently, robocalls are now permitted in Arkansas for political purposes. They are also allowed for public announcements during emergencies.
How Do I Stop Robocalls?
Robocalls have become a source of worry for Arkansans. They receive millions of these calls annually, leading to loss of money and identities. To curb this menace, take the following measures:
- Decline calls from unknown phone numbers. Phone numbers used to place unsolicited automated calls to Arkansans are usually from numbers they do not know.
- Do phone lookup on unknown numbers to obtain useful information on the registered owners to avoid scams.
- Register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry. It is a list managed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Legitimate telemarketers do not place unsolicited phone calls to numbers on the list. You can call 1 (888) 382-1222 from the number you want on the list to get registered.
- Do not indulge in phone calls that turn out to be robocalls. Hang up immediately and do not act on any instructions they may reel out.
- Inquire from your service provider about call-blocking services and subscribe to any suitable one for blocking robocall numbers.
- Download third-party call-blocking applications and use them to bar recognized robocall numbers from calling you in the future.
- Report robocall abuse to the FTC by filing an online report or call 1 (888) 225-5322.
- Report the proliferation of unwanted calls to the Attorney General’s Office by filing an online complaint.