FCC Takes on Robocall Scam Targeting Homeowners

January 31, 2023

The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Robocall Response Team took action to shut down an apparent illegal mortgage robocall scam by real estate brokerage firm MV Realty targeting homeowners.

“Mortgage scams are some of the most pernicious types of robocalls we see,” said FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel. “Sending these junk calls to financially stressed homeowners just to offer them deceptive products and services is unconscionable. That’s why we are shutting down these calls right now.”

Several attorneys general have filed complaints against MV Realty, alleging that the company misled consumers over the terms of the brokerage's “Homeowner Benefit Program.” FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan Egal thanked state attorneys general offices for their enforcement efforts against MV Realty.

Additionally, the FCC ordered telecommunications companies to effectively mitigate suspected illegal traffic from dialing platform PhoneBurner facilitating MV Realty’s the robocalls. The bureau also demanded that voice service provider Twilio cease and desist from carrying the suspected illegal robocall traffic which it was apparently receiving from PhoneBurner.  Twilio is the largest voice service provider yet to receive a cease-and-desist letter from the FCC.

ALTA has prioritized combating this abusive and anti-consumer activity in the marketplace, which adds costs and complications to the transfer or financing of real estate. ALTA has worked with national stakeholders to design model legislation to make these types of unfair agreements unenforceable, prevent the recording of the agreements in land records and provide consumers with options for seeking damages.

Currently, close to a dozen states are considering introducing legislation in 2023 on this issue.


Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or communications@alta.org.

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