The increase in telemarketing calls in 2025 is driven by the low cost of technology, the use of AI-generated content and data brokers, and the rise of illegal scams and spoofing. Legal marketing has also seen an increase due to new consent rules that allow for the sharing of your consent with other companies. However, robocall-fighting software adoption by phone companies has been uneven, and new threats from AI and deepfakes have emerged.
Factors
contributing to the increase
Cost-effective
technology: The low cost of technology makes it easy to make a large
volume of calls.
AI
and deepfakes: Artificial intelligence makes it easier and cheaper for bad
actors to generate and send scam calls.
Data brokers: Information from online forms, like sweepstakes entries or quote requests, can be sold to telemarketers who then use it to contact you.
Legal marketing: A new FCC rule that took effect in January 2025 allows for the sharing of consent, which has led to an increase in legal marketing calls.
Illegal scams: Scammers continue to target vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly, and engage in practices like neighbor spoofing to make their calls seem more legitimate.
Inconsistent adoption of anti-robocall technology: While efforts are being made to combat robocalls, only 44% of phone companies have fully installed the mandated software and adopted anti-robocall policies.
What you can do
Register
your number: Sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov.
Be
cautious online: Be careful about where you share your information online,
as many forms can lead to unsolicited calls.
Report
illegal calls: You can report illegal robocalls and texts to the FTC at
www.donotcall.gov.
Use call-blocking services: Ask your phone company what additional protections or services they offer, and consider third-party services like Nomorobo.
Be skeptical of unknown numbers: Don't answer calls from unknown numbers, and don't trust your caller ID implicitly, as it can be spoofed.
The increase in telemarketer and scam calls in 2025 is driven by a combination of a recent court decision that weakened FCC consent rules, inadequate implementation of anti-robocall technology by phone companies, and the rise of sophisticated, AI-powered scam tactics.
Regulatory & Implementation Issues
Weakened Consent Rules: A recent court decision in 2025 tossed out an FCC rule that would have required consumers to give consent for contact from a specific company only. As a result, companies can more easily share your contact information with other telemarketers, leading to an increase in legal marketing calls.
Inadequate Anti-Robocall Technology: Despite a 2019 law (the TRACED Act) requiring phone companies to install caller ID authentication technology (STIR/SHAKEN), less than half have fully implemented it across their networks. This lack of full compliance allows illegal and spoofed calls to pass through networks more easily.
Profit Motive: Some argue that phone companies are hesitant to fully crack down on unwanted calls because they profit from connecting calls, regardless of their nature.
Technological Factors & Scams
AI & Automation: Artificial intelligence (AI) has made it cheaper and easier for scammers to make mass calls and create convincing, personalized messages, including deepfake voice cloning. This improves the "business model" for illegal calls and scams.
Information Sharing: Your phone number can end up on valuable lists when you fill out online forms for sweepstakes or quotes, or through data breaches. Scammers and legitimate telemarketers buy and sell these lists, increasing your call volume.
Spoofing: Scammers use technology to disguise their real number and display a fake one, often with a local area code to trick you into answering.
What You Can Do
Do Not Answer Unknown Calls: Answering a call from an unknown number confirms that your number is active, making it more valuable to telemarketers and scammers, which can lead to even more calls.
Register with the National Do Not Call Registry: While this won't stop illegal scammers, it will stop calls from legitimate telemarketing companies that follow the law. You can register your number on the Do Not Call website or by calling 1-888-382-1222.
Use Call-Blocking Services: Most major carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) offer free call-filtering services, and third-party apps like YouMail and Hiya are also available.
Report Calls: File complaints with the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission to aid enforcement efforts.
https://www.google.com/search?q=why+are+there+so+many+telemarketer+calls+2025
Comments
The worst of the Telemarketer Calls includes calls for Medicare Annual Enrollment and calls soliciting Contributions.
Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader
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