Senator Luján, in partnership with Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), secured an amendment that would impose financial penalties on robocall scammers ... Luján’s amendment would require providers, with certain exceptions, to post a bond up to $100,000 to register with the RMD, thus filers would be vetted by a third party with an economic incentive to verify that the filer is a real company that is subject to the laws of the United States.
Impose financial penalties and bonding requirements on voice service providers registering in the Robocall Mitigation Database to deter illegal robocallers and ensure proper vetting.
Occurrences
Evidence
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced that new Robocall Mitigation Database (RMD) requirements will take effect February 5, 2026, establishing a $10,000 base forfeiture for each violation involving false or inaccurate RMD information and a $1,000 base forfeiture for failure to update information within required timeframes.
The FCC has adopted new robocall mitigation rules that affect each and every voice service provider’s current Robocall Mitigation Database filings. These rules concern mandatory updating of RMD filings and CORES information; new annual RMD recertifications; easy reporting of deficient robocall mitigation plans; multi-factor authentication; and a new $100 filing fee.
The Federal Communications Commission finalized new financial penalties for telecoms that submit false, inaccurate or late reporting to a federal robocalling system. The new regulations, which go into effect Feb. 5, will require providers to recertify every year that their information is accurate in the Robocall Mitigation Database (RMD). It would also impose fines on offenders, including $10,000 for submitting false or inaccurate information and $1,000 for each entry not updated within 10 business days of receiving new information.
We establish a base forfeiture of $10,000 for each violation for filers that submit false or inaccurate information to the Database. In addition, we establish a base forfeiture of $1,000 for failure to update information that has changed in the Robocall Mitigation Database within 10 business days. Finally, we find that these violations continue until cured; accordingly, forfeitures shall be assessed on a daily basis up to the statutory maximum for continuing violations.
Assessments
Multiple sources confirm that the FCC has instituted new and substantial financial penalties for violations related to the Robocall Mitigation Database, including $10,000 per incidence of false or inaccurate information, and $1,000 for failing to update required information. These penalties are explicitly aimed at voice service providers to improve compliance and oversight, matching the promise of financial penalties and stronger vetting as per the campaign claim. There are also new annual recertification requirements and an initial $100 filing fee, all of which enhance the robustness of the RMD. There is no specific evidence of bonding requirements, but the core of the promise—deterring illegal robocallers and enforcing vetting through financial measures—has clearly been delivered.