FCC Votes To Expand Crackdown On 'Robocalls'

The FCC voted on Thursday to pursue new rules to help consumers who are being inundated with "robocalls" and to set new standards to ensure phone calls come from legitimate numbers.

Reuters reports he FCC wants a reliable verification system that would prevent scam artists from spoofing the number of a bank, debt collector, government tax agency or other organizations to trick consumers into disclosing confidential financial or account information.

One report estimates U.S. consumers get 2.5 billion monthly robocalls - automated, prerecorded calls that regulators have labeled a "scourge."

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said "Americans are mad as hell" at robocalls, which represent the top source of consumer complaints. He said he thinks the agency's actions could make a significant dent in the volume of calls and said the FCC is acting as "an aggressive cop on the beat."

Fellow Commissioner Mignon Clyburn agreed. "Given the severity and complexity of the unwanted robocall problem, this agency recognizes that it must take a multi-pronged approach, to address this persistent problem," Clyburn said

Separately, the FCC voted 2-1 to fine New Mexico-based Dialing Services $2.88 million for facilitating "unlawful robocalls" after an investigation in 2012 found the company had made millions of unwanted calls. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.