Robocalls in the U.S.: Scams, Fraud, and the Difference Between Good and Bad Calls

The Double-Edged Nature of Robocalls

Robocalls are one of the most controversial aspects of modern telecommunications. On one hand, they’ve become a leading vector for fraud and consumer scams. On the other, they remain a legitimate and cost-effective way for businesses and organizations to deliver important notifications to customers.

In April 2025 alone, U.S. consumers received nearly 5 billion robocalls — about 167 million calls per day. A significant percentage of these were scams, but a large share came from legitimate sources such as healthcare reminders, school alerts, and utility notifications.

The Dark Side: Scam and Fraudulent Robocalls

Fraudulent robocalls continue to be a major problem in the U.S., with losses running into billions of dollars annually. Scam robocalls typically use spoofed caller IDs and urgent messages to trick victims. Some of the most common schemes include:

• IRS and Government Scams – Fraudsters impersonating the IRS or Social Security Administration demanding immediate payment.

• Banking & Credit Card Fraud – Calls pretending to be from financial institutions to steal account details.

• Tech Support Scams – Fake alerts claiming your device is compromised, urging you to provide access or payment.

• Prize & Lottery Scams – Promises of winnings that require “processing fees” or sensitive information.

These calls not only damage consumer trust but also put legitimate providers at risk of enforcement if traffic is not properly monitored.

The Legitimate Side: When Robocalls Serve a Purpose

It’s important to recognize that not all robocalls are bad. Many organizations use automated calls to deliver timely, helpful information. Examples include:

• Healthcare – Appointment reminders, prescription refill alerts, vaccination notices.

• Schools & Universities – Emergency notifications, schedule changes, closures.

• Utilities – Power outage alerts, billing reminders, service restoration notices.

• Businesses – Two-factor authentication, delivery confirmations, customer updates.

These calls, when delivered responsibly and in compliance with FCC and TCPA regulations, play a vital role in keeping communities informed and safe.

The FCC’s Role and Compliance Requirements

To combat fraud while preserving legitimate uses, the FCC has introduced strict requirements for voice providers:

1. STIR/SHAKEN Authentication – To verify caller ID integrity and reduce spoofing.

2. Robocall Mitigation Plans (RMDs) – Required filings detailing how providers prevent unlawful traffic.

3. Intermediate Provider Obligations – Carriers in the call path must monitor, block, and report suspicious traffic.

4. Consumer Rights – Customers must be able to opt in (for marketing) and opt out (STOP/Do Not Call lists).

Providers that fail to comply risk being removed from the Robocall Mitigation Database, effectively cutting off their ability to operate in the U.S. telecom ecosystem.

How Businesses and Providers Can Respond

• Implement Monitoring Tools – Real-time traffic analysis to detect fraud.

• Separate Legitimate Robocalls – Ensure lawful robocalls are clearly identified, authenticated, and not mistaken for scams.

• Educate Consumers – Help end-users understand how to identify safe vs. suspicious calls.

• Maintain Transparency – Clearly disclose opt-in/opt-out policies and ensure consent is properly obtained.

Conclusion

Robocalls are not inherently bad, they are a tool. The difference lies in how they are used. Fraudulent robocalls exploit consumers, erode trust, and trigger strict regulatory responses. Legitimate robocalls, on the other hand, provide value by keeping people informed and safe.

At Whisl Telecom, our mission is to stop the bad while protecting the good. Through FCC-compliant robocall mitigation, STIR/SHAKEN authentication, and real-time fraud prevention, we help businesses communicate responsibly and keep consumers connected with confidence.