Hello, fellow tech enthusiasts! It’s your favorite gadget-loving goofball, Nuked, here to brighten your day with some delightful news about those pesky spam calls.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), complaints about annoying telemarketing calls have taken a nosedive for the third consecutive year. That’s right—reports of these unsolicited calls have plummeted by over 50% since 2021! This dramatic drop is likely thanks to the government stepping up its game against these bothersome phone scams.

In the 2024 fiscal year, there were around 33,000 fewer complaints about unwanted calls compared to the previous year. While this decline covers a range of unwanted calls, it’s worth noting that reports regarding debt reduction calls skyrocketed by more than 85% from last year. Talk about a mixed bag!

Sam Levine, the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection Director, acknowledged that illegal calls remain a persistent issue but credited the agency’s proactive approach in tackling these problems. He highlighted their strategy to target the root causes and prepare for new threats as key factors in reducing complaints.

So, what’s the FTC been up to? They’ve been busy cracking down on illegal telemarketing and enforcing rules that prevent impersonating businesses or government entities. Their Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) also imposes several restrictions on telemarketers—including when they can call—and it now applies to scam calls utilizing AI. Last year, they even banned those notorious extended vehicle warranty scams we all love to hate!

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has also been in on the action. Major US mobile carriers have started following a new anti-spoofing protocol to ensure that the number displayed on caller ID matches the actual caller. Plus, the FCC has put a stop to AI-generated robocalls and cracked down on those robocallers that make it impossible for people to opt out. They also require cell carriers to block likely illegal robotexts. Talk about a win for consumers!

So there you have it! Thanks to these efforts, we might just be seeing less of those annoying spam calls in our lives. Keep your fingers crossed and your phones ready for legitimate calls only!