Anti-Robocall Principles
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Vermont Robocall Spoofing Survey
WHO’S REALLY ON THE LINE? AN AARP VERMONT SURVEY OF ADULTS 18+ ABOUT ROBOCALLS AND SPOOFING May 2019 AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2019 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED DOI: https://doi.org/10.26419/res.00298.004 AARP RESEARCH Table of Contents Introduction 3 Key Findings 4 Devices Owned and Caller ID 6 Experiences with Robocalls 9 Robocall Spoofing and Scams 13 Reducing Spoofing and Robocalls 20 Summary and Implications 25 Methodology 28 Appendix 30 AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2019 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED AARP RESEARCH 2 Introduction Most of us are familiar with robocall technology – where computers autodial thousands of households with legitimate messages such as pre-recorded school announcements, general reminders of an upcoming scheduled event, or emergency and disaster warnings. However, robocalling also has made it easier for scammers to inexpensively reach millions of consumers and to “spoof” (i.e., disguise) the scammers’ phone numbers. Criminals will generate phone numbers that appear local and familiar to the consumer – known as “neighbor spoofing” – so they will be more likely to answer and respond. Criminal telemarketers will impersonate such entities as the IRS, popular charities, software tech companies, or police officials to entice or threaten consumers into sharing personal identification information or sending money in order to win prizes or money, pay exorbitant fines, or avoid criminal arrest or even jail time. According to the YouMail Robocall index, there were over 43.6 million robocalls placed in Vermont in 2018, more than double the number from 2016.1 The growth of illegal robocalling and spoofing has fueled an increase in telephone fraud victimization. -
Joint Statement by Law Enforcement Leaders on Protecting Voters
Joint Statement by Law Enforcement Leaders on Protecting Voters As law enforcement leaders, elected prosecutors, and chief legal officers of our jurisdictions, we know that the right to vote is fundamental to our democracy and our identity as Americans, regardless of political affiliation. It is a constitutional right and, ultimately, a public trust and safety issue. Public trust in democracy, the rule of law, and the integrity of our government is integral to public safety. When one system is attacked and fails, it compromises the ability of all systems to function, including our criminal justice system. And when communities do not trust us, we cannot effectively keep them safe. Efforts to interfere with the United States Postal Service imperil the democratic process and erode confidence in the integrity of all government systems. Within the context of a pandemic, we should already be deeply concerned that crowds at polling places will endanger our residents. And now, recent threats and intimidation tactics, including deploying law enforcement to police the polls, raises the prospect of voter intimidation, damaging bonds of trust between law enforcement and communities they serve. This is playing out at a time when the number of Americans expressing confidence in law enforcement has fallen to an all-time low. That is why, as leaders charged with protecting public safety, we call for free and fair elections and condemn efforts to interfere with the Postal Service and undermine the voting process. It is more important than ever that we protect the integrity of our democracy, and, in the era of COVID-19, the ability to vote by mail is essential to protecting our cherished democratic process. -
Maura Healey Was Sworn in As Attorney General on January 21, 2015, Pledging to Lead the People’S Law Firm
Maura Healey was sworn in as Attorney General on January 21, 2015, pledging to lead the People’s Law Firm. Since taking office, Healey has tackled issues touching the lives of residents across Massachusetts including the heroin and prescription drug abuse epidemic, escalating health care costs, workers' rights and student loan costs. She has focused on strengthening consumer protections and on improving our criminal justice system. Building on her promise to run an office that serves people across the state, Healey launched the Community Engagement Division in May 2015. The first-of-its-kind division brings the Attorney General’s Office and its work into neighborhoods and communities across the state. The Division has launched community office hours and has assisted with the rollout of several policy initiatives including the Earned Sick Time law and Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights. Healey is an advocate for a more equal and inclusive workplace. In May 2015, she announced that her office would provide six weeks of paid family leave for all employees – making the AG’s Office the first state agency to offer paid parental leave. The office has also helped shaped state legislation that would expand opportunities for women in the workplace including Pay Equity and Pregnant Workers Fairness bills. As a civil rights attorney, Healey is committed to ensuring that all residents are treated fairly. As former head of the office’s Civil Rights Division, Healey was the architect of the state’s successful challenge to the federal Defense of Marriage Act and argued the case in federal court. As Attorney General, she has advocated for marriage equality and in support of bills to fight discrimination against transgender people. -
Title Here – Option 1
Post Election Briefing - State Attorneys General Stephen Cobb: Partner, Former Deputy Attorney General of Virginia Jim Schultz: Partner, Former Senior Associate White House Counsel, Former General Counsel to Pennsylvania Governor Bill Shepherd: Partner, Florida’s Former Statewide Prosecutor December 8, 2020 Copyright © 2020 Holland & Knight LLP. All Rights Reserved Thank you for joining today’s program • All participants are on mute • Please ask questions via Q&A box • Today’s program is being recorded and will be posted on our website • For technical assistance please reach out to the host via the chat box 2 Today’s Presenters Stephen Cobb Jim Schultz Bill Shepherd Partner Partner Partner Former Deputy Former Senior Associate Florida’s Former Attorney General White House Counsel, Statewide Prosecutor of Virginia Former General Counsel to Pennsylvania Governor 3 The Growing Role of State Attorneys General Looking Back on 2020 The Election Results 2021 – What to Expect 4 Priorities of State Attorneys General During 2020 • Consumer Protection • False Claims Act • Antitrust • Environmental Enforcement Actions • COVID-19 • Data Breach/Data Privacy 5 State Attorney General Race Results . Indiana . Pennsylvania . Todd Rokita (R) defeated Jonathan Weinzapfel (D) . Josh Shapiro* (D) defeated Heather Heidelbaugh (R) . Missouri . Utah . Eric Schmitt* (R) defeated Richard Finneran (D) . Sean D. Reyes* (R) defeated Greg Skordas (D) . Montana . Vermont . Austin Knudsen (R) defeated Ralph Graybill (D) vs. T.J. Donovan* (D) defeated H Brooke Paige (R) . North Carolina . Washington . Josh Stein* (D) defeated Jim O’Neill (R) . Bob Ferguson* (D) defeated Matt Larkin (R) . Oregon . West Virginia . Ellen Rosenblum* (D) defeated Michael Cross (R) . Patrick Morrisey* (R) defeated Sam Brown Petsonk (D) Aside from the 10 races detailed above, Maine’s next state legislature and the governors of New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa are due to appoint new AGs. -
Addressing Health Care Market Consolidation and High Prices the Role of the States
HEALTH POLICY CENTER RESEARCH REPORT Addressing Health Care Market Consolidation and High Prices The Role of the States Robert A. Berenson Jaime S. King Katherine L. Gudiksen Roslyn Murray URBAN INSTITUTE UC HASTINGS LAW UC HASTINGS LAW GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY Adele Shartzer URBAN INSTITUTE January 2020 ABOUT THE URBAN INSTITUTE The nonprofit Urban Institute is a leading research organization dedicated to developing evidence-based insights that improve people’s lives and strengthen communities. For 50 years, Urban has been the trusted source for rigorous analysis of complex social and economic issues; strategic advice to policymakers, philanthropists, and practitioners; and new, promising ideas that expand opportunities for all. Our work inspires effective decisions that advance fairness and enhance the well-being of people and places. Copyright © January 2020. Urban Institute. Permission is granted for reproduction of this file, with attribution to the Urban Institute. Cover image by Tim Meko. Contents Acknowledgments iv Executive Summary v 1. Introduction 1 2. Employee Retirement Income Security’s Act 8 3. State Efforts to Promote Transparency 11 4. State Efforts to Regulate Consolidation and Promote Competition 17 5. State Options for Overseeing and Regulating Prices 44 6. Conclusion 68 Notes 69 References 79 About the Authors 86 Statement of Independence 87 Acknowledgments This report was funded by the Commonwealth Fund. We are grateful to them and to all our funders, who make it possible for Urban to advance its mission. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Urban Institute or UC Hastings Law, its trustees, or its funders. -
April 26, 2021 the Honorable Dick
April 26, 2021 The Honorable Dick Durbin The Honorable Chuck Grassley Chair Ranking Member Senate Judiciary Committee Senate Judiciary Committee 711 Hart Senate Building 135 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Jerrold Nadler The Honorable Jim Jordan Chair Ranking Member House Judiciary Committee House Judiciary Committee 2138 Rayburn Building 2142 Rayburn Building Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee The Honorable Andy Biggs Chair Ranking Member Subcommittee on Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Security 2138 Rayburn Building 2142 Rayburn Building Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515 Dear Chair Durbin, Ranking Member Grassley, Chair Nadler, and Ranking Member Jordan: We, the undersigned attorneys general, strongly urge you to pass the EAGLES Act, which reauthorizes and expands the work of the Secret Service’s National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) to provide research-based threat assessment training. The EAGLES Act was introduced after the mass shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida and establishes a national program to prevent targeted school violence by facilitating evidence-based collaboration between state and federal agencies. The Act’s safe school initiative contains research and training components, allows dissemination of evidence-based practices, and authorizes NTAC to consult with state and local educational, law enforcement, and mental health officials to develop research and training. It is unfortunate we have to turn to the threat assessment expertise of the Secret Service in order to keep educators and students safe at school, but gun violence in schools has become all too commonplace. -
September 2, 2021
September 2, 2021 The Honorable Chuck Schumer The Honorable Mitch McConnell Senate Majority Leader Senate Minority Leader 322 Hart Senate Office Building 317 Russell Senate Office Building United States Senate United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Nancy Pelosi The Honorable Kevin McCarthy 1236 Longworth House Office Building 2468 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515 Dear Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader McCarthy, As our jurisdictions’ Attorneys General, we are responsible for protecting the health, safety, and well-being of our residents. Although our jurisdictions vary in size, geography, and political composition, we are united in our commitment to an effective criminal justice system that safeguards the communities of our states. To that end, a bipartisan coalition of Attorneys General supported the passage of the First Step Act of 2018—landmark legislation that brought common sense improvements to myriad aspects of the criminal justice system. Central to these reforms was retroactive relief for individuals sentenced under the discredited 100-to-1 crack-to-powder cocaine ratio that Congress abolished in 2010. Following the Supreme Court’s recent opinion in Terry v. United States, however, the lowest level crack cocaine offenders remain categorically ineligible for resentencing. We write today to urge Congress to amend the First Step Act, and to clarify that its retroactive relief applies to all individuals sentenced under the prior regime. Congress enacted the historic First Step Act of 2018 to modernize the criminal justice system, implementing comprehensive reform in areas such as corrections, criminal charging, community re-entry, and beyond. -
Characterizing Robocalls Through Audio and Metadata Analysis
Who’s Calling? Characterizing Robocalls through Audio and Metadata Analysis Sathvik Prasad, Elijah Bouma-Sims, Athishay Kiran Mylappan, and Bradley Reaves, North Carolina State University https://www.usenix.org/conference/usenixsecurity20/presentation/prasad This paper is included in the Proceedings of the 29th USENIX Security Symposium. August 12–14, 2020 978-1-939133-17-5 Open access to the Proceedings of the 29th USENIX Security Symposium is sponsored by USENIX. Who’s Calling? Characterizing Robocalls through Audio and Metadata Analysis Sathvik Prasad Elijah Bouma-Sims North Carolina State University North Carolina State University [email protected] [email protected] Athishay Kiran Mylappan Bradley Reaves North Carolina State University North Carolina State University [email protected] [email protected] Abstract Despite the clear importance of the problem, much of what Unsolicited calls are one of the most prominent security is known about the unsolicited calling epidemic is anecdotal issues facing individuals today. Despite wide-spread anec- in nature. Despite early work on the problem [6–10], the re- dotal discussion of the problem, many important questions search community still lacks techniques that enable rigorous remain unanswered. In this paper, we present the first large- analysis of the scope of the problem and the factors that drive scale, longitudinal analysis of unsolicited calls to a honeypot it. There are several challenges that we seek to overcome. of up to 66,606 lines over 11 months. From call metadata we First, we note that most measurements to date of unsolicited characterize the long-term trends of unsolicited calls, develop volumes, trends, and motivations (e.g., sales, scams, etc.) have the first techniques to measure voicemail spam, wangiri at- been based on reports from end users. -
January 12, 2021 the Honorable Jeffrey A. Rosen Acting Attorney
January 12, 2021 The Honorable Jeffrey A. Rosen Acting Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20530 Dear Acting Attorney General Rosen: We, the undersigned state attorneys general, are committed to the protection of public safety, the rule of law, and the U.S. Constitution. We are appalled that on January 6, 2021, rioters invaded the U.S. Capitol, defaced the building, and engaged in a range of criminal conduct—including unlawful entry, theft, destruction of U.S. government property, and assault. Worst of all, the riot resulted in the deaths of individuals, including a U.S. Capitol Police officer, and others were physically injured. Beyond these harms, the rioters’ actions temporarily paused government business of the most sacred sort in our system—certifying the result of a presidential election. We all just witnessed a very dark day in America. The events of January 6 represent a direct, physical challenge to the rule of law and our democratic republic itself. Together, we will continue to do our part to repair the damage done to institutions and build a more perfect union. As Americans, and those charged with enforcing the law, we must come together to condemn lawless violence, making clear that such actions will not be allowed to go unchecked. Thank you for your consideration of and work on this crucial priority. Sincerely Phil Weiser Karl A. Racine Colorado Attorney General District of Columbia Attorney General Lawrence Wasden Douglas Peterson Idaho Attorney General Nebraska Attorney General Steve Marshall Clyde “Ed” Sniffen, Jr. Alabama Attorney General Acting Alaska Attorney General Mark Brnovich Leslie Rutledge Arizona Attorney General Arkansas Attorney General Xavier Becerra William Tong California Attorney General Connecticut Attorney General Kathleen Jennings Ashley Moody Delaware Attorney General Florida Attorney General Christopher M. -
Remedies to Reduce Robocalls
Journal of Law, Technology & the Internet · Vol. 5 · 2014 HANGING UP TOO EARLY: REMEDIES TO REDUCE ROBOCALLS Maria G. Hibbard1 INTRODUCTION Despite the prevalence of the National Do Not Call Registry, telemarketing still plagues millions of Americans. “Rachel” from “Cardholder Services” has a constant presence in American homes. Inevitably, “Rachel,” a theoretical representative from “Cardholder Services”2 or a “government agency,” will call families with a prerecorded telemarketing message just as a family is sitting down to dinner. Some consumers attempt to report these “robocalls,”3 but the callers are persistent. Even if a phone number is on the Do Not Call Registry, Rachel and Ann keep calling back, night after night.4 Because “Cardholder Services” or another similar company has spoofed, or faked, the number, the calls are hard to trace and even harder to stop. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Jon Leibowitz claimed, “[a]t the FTC, Rachel from Cardholder Services is public enemy number one.”5 Although 1. J.D. Candidate 2014, Case Western Reserve University School of Law. I would like to thank Professor Erik Jensen for his guidance regarding this Note and my family and friends for their constant love and support. 2. The “Rachel” from “Cardholder Services” scam was settled in July 2013 after the FTC introduced five complaints against the companies associated with the scam in November 2012. It is used for illustration purposes throughout this Note because it is representative of many other similar telemarketing scams. See Press Release, Fed. Trade Comm’n, FTC Settles ‘Rachel’ Robocall Enforcement Case (July 12, 2013). -
20200721 COVID Scams U.S. Senate
“Protecting America from COVID-19 Scams” Presented to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade and Consumer Protection By Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt July 21, 2020 Chairman Moran, Ranking Minority Member Blumenthal, and Members of the Committee: Thank you for the opportunity to present this testimony as the committee discusses the unfortunate reality that scam artists are exploiting this global pandemic in attempts to profit unlawfully. I appreciate the invitation to offer the perspective of a state attorney general’s office and share the types of scams that are being reported to our office, the ways our office is responding and the cooperative work we have engaged in with federal partners. Expectations and Preparations While none of us has experienced a global pandemic on the scale of COVID-19, our office has had plenty of experience dealing with more localized disasters, such as tornadoes and floods. We know from that experience that scam artists often take advantage of those situations to prey on people during a time of distress and disruption. We expected COVID-19 would be no different. On March 12, our office issued the first consumer alert advising Kansans to keep up their guard and watch out for COVID-19-related scams, such as bogus products advertised as coronavirus prevention measures or treatments as well as bogus charities purporting to raise money for coronavirus research or to support coronavirus patients. Later that same day, the governor of Kansas declared a state of emergency related to COVID-19, which triggered the Kansas price-gouging statute within the Kansas Consumer Protection Act. -
Hold the Line on Robocalls
CONSUMER ADVISORY October 2014 By Attorney General Tom Miller Hold the Line on Annoying Robocalls How to respond to unwanted or illegal prerecorded robocalls If you signed up for the “do not call list,” then why hasn’t it stopped those annoying pre-recorded calls? It’s a question that many Iowans ask as they complain about robocalls. Robocalls are recorded voices that often utilize autodialers to make large batches of calls simultaneously. Robocalls can include sales messages, “phishing” scams that try to trick you into providing financial or personal information, charitable calls, political campaign or survey calls. They also include calls that inform you about an airline’s flight status, remind you of an upcoming medical appointment, or inform you that school has been delayed or canceled due to inclement weather. National Do Not Call Registry You can stop most telemarketing calls by adding your number to the National Do Not Call Registry (1-888-382-1222 or www.donotcall.gov). If you registered your landline or wireless number with the National Do Not Call Registry, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) forbids commercial telemarketers from calling you, subject to certain exceptions. If you have added your number to the National Do Not Call Registry, be skeptical of any telemarketing robocall you receive. Exceptions Those exceptions include political campaigns; marketers with whom you have conducted business within the last 18 months; tax-exempt and non-profit entities; businesses contacting you about an existing debt, contract or payment; businesses that started within the past year; health or safety-related prerecorded messages or emergency calls; and organizations to which you have given prior consent.