New FCC regulations are helping reduce scam calls for Arizonans, but some scammers are still getting through. The FCC has mandated the anti-robocall technology for all phone companies and is requiring them to utilize the ID verification to keep their consumers safe. 

Congress passed a law back in June 2019 and required phone providers to implement the new technology to keep scammers from contacting the public. The FCC had a deadline of Sept. 28, 2021, for all phone companies to install the technology. However some smaller companies have not yet adopted the measures. 

Last month, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund found that only one-third of nationwide phone companies installed the technology while the remaining either partially implemented it or not at all. 

For those providers who have utilized the verification, there has been a noticeable decrease in calls. 

Diane Brown is executive director of the research group’s Arizona branch. “Since the law went into effect we have seen approximately 30 percent of a decline in illegal robocalls,” Brown said. 

Robocalls to Arizonans fell from 87.6 million in June to 84.4 million in July.

The FCC has given smaller phone companies until June 2023 to install the technology but this can come with some risks. Scammers are targeting these companies. All 50 state attorneys general asked the FCC to move up the deadline to June 2022.