LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Attorney General Tim Griffin has joined a group of attorneys general from all 50 states in calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to strengthen rules designed to prevent scammers from exploiting U.S. communications networks for illegal robocalls.

The coalition is advocating for enhancements to the FCC’s “Know Your Customer” regulations, which require phone companies to verify the identities of their customers and take measures to ensure their networks are not used to originate illegal calls. The attorneys general also want expanded scrutiny and safeguards applied across providers, including smaller carriers that are often exploited by scammers due to less stringent oversight.

“Not a week goes by that I don’t hear from multiple Arkansans about the problem of robocalls and fraudulent texts,” Griffin said in a statement.

Under the proposal, phone providers would be required to assess new and existing customers’ business practices, reputations, intended uses of services, and compliance with applicable laws. For high-risk customers, including those using high-volume calling services, providers would need to implement additional screening and long-term monitoring.

The push comes as part of Operation Robocall Roundup, a multistate initiative targeting illegal robocalls. The first phase of the operation began in August 2025 with warning letters sent to 37 smaller voice providers suspected of facilitating scam calls. The second phase, launched in December 2025, expanded the effort to include four of the largest intermediate voice service providers in the country.

According to the coalition, Americans endured more than 29.6 billion scam robocalls and text messages in 2025, resulting in nearly $2 billion in losses. Existing FCC rules already require originating providers to take steps to prevent their networks from being used for illegal calls.

Griffin’s office has an active record of combatting robocall-related fraud. Previous efforts include a $146 million judgment against a Florida-based company and a separate judgment prohibiting a Texas-based robocaller from operating within the telecommunications industry.

The coalition’s proposal seeks to address vulnerabilities in the communications system and reduce opportunities for criminal exploitation.

The FCC has yet to respond to the coalition’s latest recommendations.