15min chapter

Plain English with Derek Thompson cover image

Why Are Robocalls So Hard to Stop? (Plus: Kamala and the Gender Wars.)

Plain English with Derek Thompson

CHAPTER

The Robocall Epidemic

This chapter explores the troubling prevalence of robocalls and spam texts faced by Americans, discussing the tactics used by scammers and the evolving technology behind these nuisances. It highlights the history of telemarketing regulations, such as the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, while revealing the tactics employed by scammers that manipulate victims through familiarity and urgency. The chapter also addresses the decline in complaints despite the alarming growth in robocall volume, prompting a discussion on effective strategies for combating these automated scams.

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