The TRACE Act (Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act) is a piece of legislation that was passed by the United States Congress in 2019 and signed into law by President Donald Trump. The TRACE Act aims to combat the proliferation of unwanted and illegal telemarketing calls, also known as “robocalls,” by giving law enforcement agencies greater authority to investigate and prosecute individuals or companies that engage in unlawful telemarketing practices.
The TRACE Act directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt rules to ensure that telemarketers are able to accurately identify the origin of their calls, and to make it easier for consumers to report unwanted or illegal robocalls. It also provides for civil and criminal penalties for individuals or companies that violate telemarketing laws, including fines of up to $10,000 per call and prison terms of up to three years. The TRACE Act is one of several efforts by the government to address the problem of unwanted telemarketing calls, which have become a significant nuisance for many consumers.
