The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has begun tracking voice providers' robocall reduction efforts. As of Sept. 28, 2021, phone companies must refuse incoming traffic from services not listed in the Robocall Mitigation Database.

Those companies (typically small firms or non-IP-based providers) granted an extension to implement the STIR/SHAKEN protocol—which verifies that caller ID information matches the caller's actual phone number—must file detailed reports on their progress toward implementing anti-robocall technology.

"Protecting consumers from scammers that use robocall and spoofing tools is a top priority," FCC acting chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement. "To succeed, we not only need an all-hands-on-deck response from [the] government, but we need industry commitment and focus."

Americans received an estimated 46 billion robocalls nationwide in 2020, according to YouMail, which suggests each US household suffers an average 350-plus spam calls per year. With that in mind, the telecom industry developed new technology to combat the spammers. The "STIR" (Secure Telephone Identity Revisited) and "SHAKEN" (Signature-based Handling of Asserted Information using toKENs) protocols are meant to curb spoofed phone numbers.

The process enables voice providers to "sign" and "verify" caller ID information in an attempt to prevent folks from deceiving and defrauding customers. So, those weekly calls from mom will continue, but the prankster trying to reach you from "The White House" would be challenged. The FCC last year voted in favor of adopting the STIR/SHAKEN suite of protocols across the entire industry by June 30, 2021. "Our message to providers is clear," Rosenworcel said. "Certify under penalty of perjury the steps you are taking to stop illegal robocalls, or we will block your calls."