2025 saw only a slight 1% decrease in the overall number of robocalls in the U.S. from 2024.[*] Spam callers also adapted with new tactics such as caller ID spoofing and SIM-based attacks, creating new gaps in protection.
2025 was also a big year for rule-making authorities like the FCC, who have been trying to address the issue as quickly as possible.
Robocall regulations also increased at the State level in 2025. While federal district courts saw more Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) cases than ever before, many states began writing their own stricter "mini-TCPA" rules. For example, Florida requires express written consent for autodialed marketing texts and calls.[*]
Let’s examine the current landscape of robocalls and robotexts as we head into 2026:
Progress with Tier 1 Carriers
According to the TNS 2025 Robocall Report, major U.S. carries are now showing an "A" attestation for 80-100% of calls. An "A" attestation is given according to the STIR/SHAKEN protocol when a number can be authenticated at the highest level of trust. The downside is that for non-top-tier carries, only 20% of calls are carrying that "A" attestation.[*]
In 2025, scammers also found ways to deliberately route calls through non-IP network gaps in order to evade detection and originate calls inside trusted carriers using banks of SIMs.
As we move forward into 2026,
FTC Increasing Efforts Against Spam Calls
A new regulation was passed by the FCC in 2025 that requires service providers to quickly and accurately report robocall mitigation efforts with fines being assigned for missing deadlines or providing false information.
The FCC also removed over 1200 non-complaint voice providers from the U.S. phone network and expanded STIR/SHAKEN and other rules.
AI: A Double-Edged Sword
Many companies have started using AI to automate conversations with customers, both over the phone and via SMS. However, mischievous actors also began using artificial intelligence to automate and spoof calls or texts. In 2025, AI-generated robocalls were clarified as being illegal unless explicit prior consent is given.[*]
Further, advancements in AI technology, such as those in TNS’ AI Labs initiative, offer tools like predictive analytics and voice biometrics that can help detect and prevent robocalls and spam texts. On the other hand, agentic AI with superior reasoning ability also came to market in 2025.
Agentic AI has essentially tipped the scales in favor of scammers by making spam calls more personalized to specific events like tax season and open enrollment, and utilizing real-time adaption, demographic targeting, and caller ID cycling to make spam calls more believable and natural sounding.
Expect AI to play a role on both sides of spam calls in 2026, posing a threat in nefarious hands but offering a solution in the right ones.
What to Do To Protect Against RoboCalls
Paired with various government-sponsored mitigation efforts: several apps and other tools attempt to warn those most susceptible to falling victim to scam calls and texts.
In 2025, according to the TNS report, 43% of subscribers filed a robocall report, up from 28% in 2023. Reporting by those aged 25-34 jumped to 57%. Finally, 80% of consumers now avpid answering unknown calls.
There is plenty more one can do: such as reporting that number to the Federal Trade Commission FTC (and) placing yourself on the "do not call" list. These measures, while simple, may help to reduce your risk of being contacted again.
The best protection against spam calls is a multi-layered approach. The first layer is ensuring you have your carriers default call blocking turned on. AI is now being used to score calls in real time.
The second layer is to use an AI-powered screening app that will answer unknown calls with an AI assistant, asking for the caller's name and purpose for calling. This creates friction which will cause most scammers to hang up. Once they hang up, the number will be blocked automatically. Some apps that do this are TureCaller, Robokiller, and Aura.
Third, silence calls that come from an unknown number or send them straight to voicemail. You can usually do this in settings.
Fourth, do not provide any feedback to calls or messages you are unsure of such as "pressing 1 to opt out", or returning the call. Robocallers optimize feedback, so the best strategy is always to block and ignore.
Fifth, report the spam call if you have the option to do so as this helps train AI-powered call blocking systems.
Finally, set up a family password or phrase for emergencies and if you are ever unsure. This way, you can assume that any emotional and/or urgent call is synthetic.
