RoboGuard®, takes into consideration numerous factors to determine the duration of a media IP block. These factors include the User Agent, the most recent sighting of the media IP within RoboGuard® Honeypots, the hosting location of the media IP server, and the specific type of campaign involved. Additionally, RoboGuard® verifies the operational status of the media IP to ascertain its current availability. It is important to note that the duration of a media IP block is not governed by a fixed rule but rather varies based on the aforementioned factors and their unique combination.

RoboGuard®, has a lower incidence of false positives compared to various (RMD) systems, including ANI Analytics. It is important to note that RoboGuard® does not implement blocking mechanisms based on speculative assumptions. Instead, it relies on the direct association of Media IP addresses with the respective campaigns from which the original calls originated. As part of our commitment to maintaining uninterrupted communication channels, we do not block Media IP addresses associated with Switches, CLECS, and major carrier networks. By ensuring the consistent association of Media IP addresses with specific campaigns, we provide our users with confidence and reliability in their RMD blocking..

SPAM:
SPAM calls refer to calls that may not comply with TCPA regulations or lack sufficient information for categorization as SCAM. While SPAM calls can still receive tracebacks, they are considered less severe than SCAM campaigns. To mitigate the impact of tracebacks on your network, FraudCentral recommends implementing blocking measures for SPAM.

SCAM:
SCAM robocalls encompass campaigns widely recognized as fraudulent or deceptive within the industry. This classification includes campaigns targeted by Traceback, FCC, and Attorney Generals. To ensure maximum protection, FraudCentral strongly advises blocking all robocalls classified as SCAM.

FCC:
FCC campaigns involve significant campaigns listed on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) watchlist, such as those related to student loans. It is important to note that not all FCC classified campaigns are automatically labelled as SCAM. To safeguard against potential risks, FraudCentral strongly recommends blocking all calls classified as FCC.

CLEC:
CLEC classification pertains to grave complaints reported by Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs). These campaigns often involve major spoofing and toll-free pumping incidents. Not all CLEC-classified campaigns are automatically categorized as SCAM. To enhance protection, FraudCentral strongly advises blocking all calls classified as CLEC.

Note: It is essential to consult with legal professionals or comply with relevant regulations and guidelines when implementing call-blocking measures. The information provided here is general guidance and does not constitute legal advice.

Certainly! You can submit an application for Media IP unblocking Here . We strive to process requests within a timeframe of 24 hours. However, please be aware of our policy regarding repeated infractions. FraudCentral operates under a 2-strike rule, meaning that if the same campaign with the same Media IP is reported within a 60-day period, the Media IP will be permanently blocked. Subsequent requests regarding the same Media IP will not receive a response from FraudCentral.

This is to be anticipated, unlike the majority of RMD systems that rely on ANI Analytics, which prove to be ineffective given the ease of altering ANI information for each call. In contrast, Roboguard® proactively prevents "Bad Actors" from initiating any calls through your network by blocking them at their physical server (typically Vicidialer). Naturally, these individuals will become upset and make concerted efforts to restore call connectivity.

When implementing the robust measures to block both SCAM and SPAM calls, it is essential to consider that, on average, intermediate providers may experience a traffic reduction of up to 25%. These figures are derived from historical data and serve as a general benchmark.

Opting to solely block SCAM calls, however, results in a more moderate traffic reduction, averaging around 10%. This minor decrease in traffic is a worthwhile trade-off to mitigate the potential legal complications that could arise from regulatory bodies such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Attorney General's Task Force, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the (ITG) Group.

In conclusion, while RoboGuard® may initially appear to obstruct a significant portion of your network traffic, the proactive filtering measures it employs are crucial to safeguarding against fraudulent activities and potential legal entanglements.

With RoboGuard®, you have the flexibility to selectively block specific categories of spam, tailored to your preferences, rather than applying a generic rule. It is recommended that you analyze your ITG data to identify the types of campaigns that have targeted your network in the past, and proactively block such spam campaigns.

It is important to remember that the calls being blocked on your network are not mere assumptions derived from analytics. You can have utmost confidence in the knowledge that the calls you are mitigating from your network are specifically targeted at blocking the campaign associated with that particular media IP.

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FraudCentral highly recommends conducting an IP Whois lookup on the media IP to determine whether it's owned by a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) or a Switch Vendor. We have observed new tactics from malicious entities attempting to route their traffic through intermediary carriers utilizing switches with media anchoring.

Additionally, FraudCentral advises engaging in a conversation with your upstream carrier. It may also be prudent to review your company's policies to assess whether it's beneficial to permit known Media IPs through your network.

You may have come across various public letters from the FCC in recent months, which advise intermediate carriers to block or mitigate "illegal" robocalls on their networks. However, the FCC and ITG do not publicly disclose the specific, up-to-date campaigns for determining what constitutes an "illegal" call. While certain calls, such as those related to Amazon and the SSA, can be easily identified as illegal, others present a greater challenge.

FraudCentral possesses a comprehensive understanding of how intermediate carriers operate. In fact, FraudCentral itself is a registered 499 intermediate carrier. Moreover, FraudCentral acknowledges the potential issue of overblocking. Therefore, FraudCentral employs a meticulous approach to classifying different campaigns, focusing on identifying whether they fall into categories such as spam, scam, FCC-related, traceback, or CLEC.

Additionally, it is important to note that every robocall must adhere to certain fundamental rules in order to be considered "legal." These requirements include:

1. Identifying the company from which the call is being made.
2. Providing a call-back number.
3. Ensuring that the Caller ID number is valid and contactable.
4. Offering an opt-out option for recipients
5. Having a valid opt-in from the end user when calling wireless numbers.

Before contacting FraudCentral, please verify if the robocall in question fulfills these five basic requirements.

Before a Media IP is entered into the FraudCentral Database, our Quality Assurance team thoroughly researches each new campaign to determine its classification. This process includes, but is not limited to:

*Cross-checking available data from the ITG.
*Cross-checking with the FCC Current Campaign watch list, such as Student Loans.
*Cross-checking with external sources including reviewing end-user comments.
*Verifying compliance with the basic "5" requirements.

FraudCentral strongly suggests conducting a Google search on the campaign in question before contacting them if you believe the campaign has been inaccurately classified. If you have evidence that a campaign has been entered incorrectly, please reach out to FraudCentral.