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- calendar_today October 20, 2026
Robocalls Remain a Top Complaint for North Carolinians
Unwanted robocalls continue to be a significant nuisance for residents across North Carolina. Attorney General Jeff Jackson reports that robocalls are the most common complaint his office receives from people statewide. Frustration over persistent spam calls is shared by many, including Raleigh resident Jadin Keeter, who says she receives between four and ten spam calls each day.
Personal Experiences Highlight the Scope of the Problem
Keeter has attempted to manage the influx by enabling call-screening features on her phone, but spam calls have since inundated her voicemail box. "Now it’s just filled up my voicemails to the point where I’m having to clear it out every two days or else my voicemail box will be full," Keeter explained.
Federal Trade Commission Data and the Do Not Call Registry
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the volume of complaints about unwanted calls remained steady from July 2025 through June 2026. Approximately 74% of these complaints involved robocalls rather than live callers. The "Do Not Call Registry," established in 2003, enables consumers to opt out of marketing calls. To date, about 250 million numbers have been registered. Telemarketers are legally required to update their calling lists within 30 days to remove numbers on the registry, but according to Will Maxson, assistant director at the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, the registry does not physically block calls from reaching consumers.
Reporting Persistent Unwanted Calls
Consumers who still receive unwanted calls after registering are encouraged to file complaints at do not call dot gov. "Those complaints are how not just the FTC investigates illegal calls, but lots of different government entities at the federal level and even at the state and local level; they have access to that complaint database," Maxson said.
State and Federal Authorities Respond to Evolving Scams
Attorney General Jackson notes that North Carolina ranks among the states with the highest volume of robocall reports, with many targeting senior citizens. "We are at war against robocalls, and they’re all these battlefields that we have set up," Jackson stated. He emphasized that a significant number of telephone companies facilitate these calls and his office now gives such companies 30 to 60 days to take corrective action or face the possibility of being driven out of business. This approach is part of "Operation Robocall Roundup," aimed at holding service providers accountable and curtailing phone spam at the source.
Artificial Intelligence Complicates the Fight Against Robocalls
Jackson also highlights the emerging challenge of AI-powered robocalls, which can generate more calls quickly and manipulate voice data. The FBI's Reid Davis, Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina, describes an increase in scams involving AI-driven voice manipulation. "We’re definitely seeing those where there’s a voice manipulation or taking over someone’s persona, voice, or video, or both," Davis said. Such scams sometimes impersonate organizational leaders or family members and attempt to persuade victims to send money, believing they are helping someone they know.
Seeking Relief Amid Ongoing Enforcement Efforts
Despite ongoing enforcement actions, residents like Keeter continue to struggle with the volume of robocalls. "I just wish that somebody could, like, find the solution of stopping all these, because it’s honestly making me want to change my number at this point, because it’s happening nonstop," she said.
How to Join the Do Not Call Registry
For those wishing to reduce unwanted calls, the Do Not Call Registry remains a valuable resource. Sign up at www.donotcall.gov to add your number and help authorities track down illegal robocallers.
Source: cbs17.com.
