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What is a robocall? A robocall is an automated telephone call which delivers a recorded message, typically on behalf of a political party or telemarketing company.

In the United State, a so-called ‘kingpin’ of Robocalling has been busted by the Federal Communications Commission. The ‘kingpin’ made a massive 96 million calls which attracted the attention and condemnation of the Federal Communications Commission, who have now fined the perpetrator 120 million dollars for these acts.

The ‘kingpin’ is also known as Adrian Abramovich, who was based in Miami. According to the Federal Communications Commissions documents Mr. Abramovich was impersonating companies like Expedia and TripAdvisor. He was caught spoofing these calls to sell people timeshare and holiday packages. The aim of his calls was to con consumers into answering the calls from his set up and them listening to his advertising message. One of the sneaky ways to make people answer the calls is to make the phone call look like it comes from a local number. People are more likely to answer a number that they think they recognise! The FCC carried out their investigation last year and they made the following statement:

‘…he violated the law by making unauthorized and disruptive pre-recorded telemarketing calls—or robocalls—to critical emergency phone lines, wireless phones, and residential phone lines without prior express written consent and absent of an emergency purpose’

Not only did Abramovich make 96 million robotic calls, which I am sure is shocking and galling to those reading this, it is also alleged that he disrupted emergency phone lines whilst making these calls! The perpetrator of this act not only thought it was acceptable to try and con people out of their hard-earned money; he also thought it was acceptable to cause unnecessary risk to many other people by disrupting phone lines!

Accordingly, Abramovich was insistent that he had no intent to harm or defraud anyone, however, he did not deny that he made all of these calls in the first place.

The chairman of the Financial Communications Commission, Ajit Pai said in a statement, “What Mr. Abramovich does have to say in his defense isn’t very convincing.”

The Commissioner, Michael O’Reilly, was the only commissioner to give a statement that had a slightly different opinion, he expressed that he believed Abramovich didn’t have any intention to cause any harm to the consumers, however, Mr. O’Rielly still believed the Financial Communications Commission should still impose the 120 million dollar fine on Abramovich.

What is really terrifying is that Abramovich isn’t the only one out there with this type of operation. We are easy targets with our mobile phones and easily accessible by fraudsters out there who don’t care about who you are or what kind of life situation you are in.

Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel also made a statement in which she quite clearly makes her feelings known, “I support it. But let’s be honest: Going after a single bad actor is like emptying the ocean with a teaspoon—and right now we’re all wet’

Be aware folks, if you don’t recognise a number that is calling you before you answer – google it, check it out! It’s likely that there will be reports and information available to you that can tell you who is calling and then you can make an informed decision on whether or not to answer!

 

For more information regarding this article or assistance in any other timeshare related issues please contact the TCA on 01908 881058 or email: info@TimeshareConsumerAssociation.org.uk