FCC launches robocall scorecard to rank carriers

The Federal Communications Commission will introduce a scorecard system to publicly grade phone companies on how well they block robocalls and spam, according to a new proposal.

The move comes as robocalls remain a top consumer complaint, with Americans receiving an estimated 50 billion spam calls last year despite existing protections. Current FCC rules require carriers to implement call-authentication tech like STIR/SHAKEN, but enforcement is inconsistent, and consumers still report frequent scams. The scorecard would track metrics like call-blocking success rates and customer complaints, pushing carriers to improve or face reputational pressure.

Industry groups have warned that overzealous blocking could disrupt legitimate calls, but consumer advocates argue transparency is long overdue. The FCC’s plan aligns with broader efforts, including fines against spoofers and demands for carriers to do more. The scorecard details are still being finalized, but Commissioner Geoffrey Starks called it a “critical step” to hold companies accountable.

If approved, the system could launch within months, giving consumers a clear way to compare providers. It may also force lagging carriers to upgrade their defenses—or risk losing customers to better-rated competitors. The FCC will vote on the proposal in the coming weeks.