Americans hit with 78 billion robocall scams each year, report reveals
![A new report reveals that Robocall scam are on the rise in America amid the advancement of AI that can clone voices - even that of the US President Joe Biden . A fake recorded message impersonating Biden was unleashed in New Hampshire this week, which urged Democrats now to vote in the primary. 'Voting this Tuesday only enables the Republicans in their quest to elect Donald Trump again. Your vote makes a difference in November, not this Tuesday,' victims heard on the phone.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/25/19/80468331-13007507-A_new_report_reveals_that_Robocall_scam_are_on_the_rise_in_Ameri-a-172_1706211419909.jpg)
A new report reveals that Robocall scam are on the rise in America amid the advancement of AI that can clone voices - even that of the US President Joe Biden . A fake recorded message impersonating Biden was unleashed in New Hampshire this week, which urged Democrats now to vote in the primary. 'Voting this Tuesday only enables the Republicans in their quest to elect Donald Trump again. Your vote makes a difference in November, not this Tuesday,' victims heard on the phone.
![The malicious campaign highlights the dangers of technology that is running rampant in the US - Americans are hit with 78 billion robocalls and 225 billion robotexts per year - a more than 50 percent jump from 2021. New Hampshire State Representative Angela Brennan warned people about the advancing AI technology and how accessible it is for scammers, following the fake Biden campaign.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/25/19/80465821-13007507-The_malicious_campaign_highlights_the_dangers_of_technology_that-a-174_1706211419919.jpg)
The malicious campaign highlights the dangers of technology that is running rampant in the US - Americans are hit with 78 billion robocalls and 225 billion robotexts per year - a more than 50 percent jump from 2021. New Hampshire State Representative Angela Brennan warned people about the advancing AI technology and how accessible it is for scammers, following the fake Biden campaign.
!['It's not like maybe it used to be where it costs thousands of dollars to create a deep fake,' Brennan told CBS News . 'We're talking about something that someone can do on their phone in five minutes time. 'It's a really big problem and it's something we all need to be paying attention to,' said Brennan.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/25/19/80465837-13007507-_It_s_not_like_maybe_it_used_to_be_where_it_costs_thousands_of_d-a-173_1706211419914.jpg)
'It's not like maybe it used to be where it costs thousands of dollars to create a deep fake,' Brennan told CBS News . 'We're talking about something that someone can do on their phone in five minutes time. 'It's a really big problem and it's something we all need to be paying attention to,' said Brennan.
![Scammers make robocalls that say they're from government agencies calling about your Social Security number, taxes or Medicare. However, with the rise of AI, thieves can now clone a persons voice using recordings of them speaking. 'The risk is real, with hackers potentially able to steal your identity, access private accounts from social media to banking, and deny you access to your own information,' said Sarah McConomy, chief operating officer for SellCell.com, which conducted the research.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/25/19/80465869-13007507-Scammers_make_robocalls_that_say_they_re_from_government_agencie-a-175_1706211420012.jpg)
Scammers make robocalls that say they're from government agencies calling about your Social Security number, taxes or Medicare. However, with the rise of AI, thieves can now clone a persons voice using recordings of them speaking. 'The risk is real, with hackers potentially able to steal your identity, access private accounts from social media to banking, and deny you access to your own information,' said Sarah McConomy, chief operating officer for SellCell.com, which conducted the research.
![The company found victims lost $65 billion to the scams in 2021, which would be nearly $200 for each American. The data also showed that Texas is the number one state that has received the most robocalls in the country, with residents receiving an estimated 448 spam calls every year. And the runners-up included Georgia, Ohio, North Carolina, and Illinois.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/25/19/80469525-13007507-The_company_found_victims_lost_65_billion_to_the_scams_in_2021_w-a-177_1706211420026.jpg)
The company found victims lost $65 billion to the scams in 2021, which would be nearly $200 for each American. The data also showed that Texas is the number one state that has received the most robocalls in the country, with residents receiving an estimated 448 spam calls every year. And the runners-up included Georgia, Ohio, North Carolina, and Illinois.
![Americans received 78 billion robotexts and 31 billion robocalls between January and June last year, SellCell reported. The report also projected that by the end of 2023, Americans could lose up to $90 billion to phone scams, but confirmed that robocalls accounted for $65 billion in financial losses. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has taken steps in recent years to fight robocalls and robotexts by forming a robocalls response team to identify companies and individuals scamming Americans.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/25/19/80475909-13007507-Americans_received_78_billion_robotexts_and_31_billion_robocalls-a-168_1706211419769.jpg)
Americans received 78 billion robotexts and 31 billion robocalls between January and June last year, SellCell reported. The report also projected that by the end of 2023, Americans could lose up to $90 billion to phone scams, but confirmed that robocalls accounted for $65 billion in financial losses. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has taken steps in recent years to fight robocalls and robotexts by forming a robocalls response team to identify companies and individuals scamming Americans.
!['If robocallers continue to make illegal calls that target consumers, we're prepared to use every took in our toolbox to knock them offline and hold these violators accountable,' said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. The FCC's robocall response team has issued numerous cease-and-desist warnings and says offenders could be sentenced to up to a year in prison, fined $20,000 for falsifying caller ID, and a longer prison sentence for repeat offenders.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/25/19/80475913-13007507-_If_robocallers_continue_to_make_illegal_calls_that_target_consu-a-169_1706211419770.jpg)
'If robocallers continue to make illegal calls that target consumers, we're prepared to use every took in our toolbox to knock them offline and hold these violators accountable,' said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. The FCC's robocall response team has issued numerous cease-and-desist warnings and says offenders could be sentenced to up to a year in prison, fined $20,000 for falsifying caller ID, and a longer prison sentence for repeat offenders.
![Phone users may experience signs that their phone was hacked including the battery draining quicker than usual, popups or spam activities, and if the phone is running slower than usual. Fortunately, there are steps people can take to block unwanted robocalls and texts, according to the FCC which has set up a national Do Not Call list for landlines and cellphone numbers.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/25/19/80475981-13007507-Phone_users_may_experience_signs_that_their_phone_was_hacked_inc-a-171_1706211419770.jpg)
Phone users may experience signs that their phone was hacked including the battery draining quicker than usual, popups or spam activities, and if the phone is running slower than usual. Fortunately, there are steps people can take to block unwanted robocalls and texts, according to the FCC which has set up a national Do Not Call list for landlines and cellphone numbers.
![U.S. residents can register their numbers on the Do Not Call list by calling 1-866-290-4236 from the number they want to register. They can also register their phones at donotcall.gov . Dailymail.com has reached out to the FCC for comment on the latest robocall scam report. Read the full story: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-13005955/robocall-scams-cost-americans-joe-biden.html?ito=msngallery](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/25/19/80475979-13007507-U_S_residents_can_register_their_numbers_on_the_Do_Not_Call_list-a-170_1706211419770.jpg)
U.S. residents can register their numbers on the Do Not Call list by calling 1-866-290-4236 from the number they want to register. They can also register their phones at donotcall.gov . Dailymail.com has reached out to the FCC for comment on the latest robocall scam report. Read the full story: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-13005955/robocall-scams-cost-americans-joe-biden.html?ito=msngallery
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