Robocall trends in May 2023

Another month of robocall statistics show that the trends may be headed in the wrong direction. Let’s have a look.

Robocalls of all types are increasing

Figure 1. Monthly trend for all robocalls 12 months through May 2023

The line chart in the upper part of Figure 1 shows the monthly trend for all robocalls over the past 12 months through May 2023. The data are from YouMail’s robocall index, and this is the number you often read about in the press. The trend doesn’t look good. Notice the dotted green line, which shows the upward linear trend.

The monthly bars in the lower chart compare each month to the same month in 2022. Since last August, robocalls in every month were higher than the same month in the previous year.

But wait a minute, these are the numbers for all robocalls. Some robocalls are not illegal. How does the trend look for scam robocalls?

Scam robocall trends have changed

Scam robocalls trending down over the past 12 months

Figure 2. Monthly trend for scam robocalls 12 months through May 2023

Okay, this looks better. The dotted green line in the upper chart in Figure 2 shows a downward trend. Scam robocalls are coming down.

The monthly bars in the lower chart in Figure 2 shows that there is not a clear trend comparing scam robocalls in each month to the same month in the previous year.

But wait a minute, the monthly scam robocall trend hit an inflection point in December 2022. Looks like scam robocalls are trending up again.

Scam robocalls trending up over the past six months

Figure 3. Monthly trend for scam robocalls six months through May 2023

Figure 3 shows the trend for the past six months. Unfortunately, the dotted green line shows a clear upward trend.

Interpreting these trends

The upward trend in all robocalls might be due in part to the Supreme Court’s decision in Facebook v. Duguid, which established a narrow definition of autodialer. Robocalls didn’t show explosive growth but have been increasing slowly. Legislators vowed to pass new legislation to establish a broader definition of autodialer, but that hasn’t happened yet.

The Traceback Group, FCC, FTC, and state attorneys general have been active in investigating suspicious traffic and enforcing laws against illegal robocalls. We thought that explained the downward trend in scam calls through December 2022. Is the recent upward trend temporary, or will it continue? We’ll be watching.

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