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2mo ago

FCC Proposes $4.5M Fine Against Telnyx Over Scam Robocalls Posing as FCC Staff

The FCC accuses Telnyx of failing to verify customer identities, enabling nearly 1,800 fraudulent calls targeting FCC employees and others.

Illustration of a robot wearing a headset and sitting in front of a laptop
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Overview

  • The FCC has proposed a $4,492,500 fine against VoIP provider Telnyx for allegedly violating Know Your Customer (KYC) rules and enabling scam robocalls.
  • Scammers posing as members of a fictitious FCC 'Fraud Prevention Team' made nearly 1,800 calls over two days in February 2024, targeting FCC staff and their families.
  • The robocalls used artificial voices to intimidate recipients, including demands for $1,000 in Google gift cards to avoid 'jail time.'
  • Telnyx terminated the accounts linked to the scam within hours and denies wrongdoing, stating it acted responsibly and swiftly blocked the activity.
  • The FCC claims Telnyx failed to adequately verify customer identities, while Telnyx argues the fine imposes an unprecedented standard of 'perfection' in fraud prevention.