https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-421309A1.pdf
On April 30, 2026, the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the strengthening of Know-Your-Customer (KYC) rules in an attempt to help crack down on scam calls. In the words of Chairman Brendan Carr,
“Even though originating providers are subject to ‘know your customer’ obligations where they must take ‘affirmative, effective’ measures to know their customers, some do the bare minimum (or worse) and have become complicit in illegal robocalling schemes.”
Among the new requirements the FCC proposed to have providers take before enabling service include
- Name
- Address
- Government ID
- Alternative Phone Numbers.
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This is definitely a step in the right direction! They need to further enhance phone communications regulations by mandating the following:
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Prohibition on Caller ID Manipulation
All forms of caller ID spoofing shall be prohibited, except where explicitly authorized for legitimate and non-deceptive purposes. Any transmission of inaccurate, misleading, or unverifiable caller identification information shall constitute a violation, regardless of demonstrated fraudulent intent. Currently, spoofing is only illegal if fraudulent motive can be proven. I can tell you - in my experience - many calls are nominally non-fraudulent in nature. These are just sleazy “sales bros” using clueless foreign spam callers to harass the US public with various marketing offers and products. Often, these are legitimate offers made via illegitimate means.
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Carrier Accountability and Enforcement Mechanisms
VoIP carriers and telecommunications platforms that knowingly permit or fail to take reasonable measures to prevent unlawful spoofing, robocalling, or mass unsolicited communications shall be subject to escalating penalties, including fines, traffic restrictions, and potential suspension of interconnection privileges.
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Domestic Accountability Requirements for Market Access
Any person or entity engaging in outbound telecommunications to U.S. consumers must maintain a legally accountable presence within the United States and utilize registered, compliant telecommunications providers. Foreign-based call operations targeting U.S. consumers shall be banned from accessing the US market. No sale of US phone numbers to foreign actors.
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Liability for Willful Blindness or Negligence
Executives and responsible officers of VoIP providers may be held civilly and criminally liable where it is demonstrated that they knowingly ignored, facilitated, or failed to act upon clear evidence of unlawful activity conducted through their platforms. Currently, there is no criminal liability for VOIP execs.
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Transparency and Public Disclosure of Violators
A publicly accessible registry shall be established to identify business entities that have been adjudicated as engaging in unlawful telemarketing, spoofing, or related abuses. Such disclosure shall occur only after due process and final determination of violations. Simplifying CPNI barriers and publicly disclosing personal information of known offending telemarketing/sales parties would make it highly lucrative for the general public to go after them in the court of law. Once we bankrupt a few dozens of said “sales bro”, the rest will surely learn their lesson!
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Private Right of Action
Private parties shall have standing to bring civil claims, including class-action lawsuits, against VoIP carriers and telecommunications providers where it can be demonstrated that such entities acted negligently or recklessly in enabling unlawful communications activity, provided that a prior regulatory finding or adjudication supports the claim.
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Enhanced Know-Your-Customer (KYC) Requirements
Telecommunications providers shall implement robust identity verification procedures for customers, particularly those engaging in high-volume outbound communications. Enhanced verification shall include IN-PERSON validated identification, verifiable payment methods, and ongoing monitoring for suspicious activity.
@MajorLeeAwesome @Jhawk @Freefall @T-Rex
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Great news! I received 44 spoof phone calls today. Can’t wait till this stops!
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Now, imagine if the government just did its job and went after VOIP carriers turning a blind eye to spoofing? Or if they at least disclosed who the egregious violators are and let us sue them? I can only imagine how much money could be made of, say, Peerless Network and FracTel and their resellers!
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