REACH urges FCC to target bad actors in robocall and offshore call center rules

R.E.A.C.H. filed comments with the FCC on two pending rulemakings June 19, arguing that targeted enforcement, stronger KYC and clearer carrier rules would curb scams without blocking legitimate business calls. The group says broad bans on number reselling and offshore call centers could raise costs, reduce access and push companies toward automation. Why it matters: - R.E.A.C.H. says the FCC can cut illegal robocalls without choking off lawful calls that businesses use to reach customers. - The group argues broad restrictions could raise costs, narrow phone-number access and disrupt legitimate lead-generation and customer-service operations. - The filing also frames carrier call blocking and mislabeling as a driver of number rotation by legitimate businesses. What happened: - R.E.A.C.H. filed comments in two FCC rulemakings on June 19, 2026. - One filing responds to the agency’s robocall and numbering proposal in WC Docket Nos. 26-49, 20-67, 13-97 and 07-243. - A second filing, dated June 2, responds to the FCC’s offshore call center proposal, titled Improving Customer Service and Protecting Consumers Through Onshoring. - The organization said the FCC should target bad actors instead of writing rules that sweep in legitimate businesses. The details: - R.E.A.C.H. backs stronger Know-Your-Customer rules as a better way to keep bad actors off the network. - The group warned against shrinking the supply of phone numbers that real businesses depend on. - R.E.A.C.H. said limiting numbers to a single tier of resell would raise costs and give a small group of suppliers more control over pricing and access. - The group supports better disclosure and reporting from resellers. - R.E.A.C.H. opposes making wholesalers responsible for downstream users’ conduct. - The organization said such a rule would conflict with the country’s common carrier tradition and could discourage new providers from entering the market. - R.E.A.C.H. asked the FCC to act on its pending petition to rein in carrier call blocking and mislabeling. - The group said legitimate businesses rotate numbers because carriers label calls as “Spam Risk” or “Scam Likely” without questions asked. - On offshore call centers, R.E.A.C.H. asked the FCC to clarify who the proposal would cover. - The group said the proposal could reach telecom providers or nearly every U.S. business that uses an overseas call center. - R.E.A.C.H. challenged the idea that offshore call centers are inherently bad. - The group said many offshore centers employ well-trained, English-fluent agents who stay in their jobs longer than domestic counterparts. - R.E.A.C.H. also warned that stricter rules could push businesses toward AI customer service that many consumers do not want. - The group cited roughly two-thirds of consumers as preferring to talk to a real person. - R.E.A.C.H. recommended clear and specific disclosure rules, minimal automated reporting and at least 18 months for compliance. - The group directed consumers to More information and info@reachmbc.com. Between the lines: - The filings show R.E.A.C.H. trying to draw a line between scam prevention and business operations that depend on phone outreach. - The group’s position is that enforcement should focus on illegal traffic, while carrier behavior and ambiguous rules should not be used to justify wider restrictions. - The offshore-call-center filing also suggests consumer-service rules can backfire if they accelerate automation or create compliance burdens broad enough to catch ordinary businesses. What’s next: - The FCC will review the comments as it considers the two rulemakings. - R.E.A.C.H. wants the agency to adopt targeted enforcement, clearer disclosure rules and more protection against carrier blocking and mislabeling. - The group is also pressing the FCC to move on its petition about call blocking and number rotation. The bottom line: - R.E.A.C.H. is asking the FCC to punish scammers more precisely, not reshape phone and call-center rules in ways that could hit legitimate businesses first.