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U.S. Phones Slammed by 2.6 Billion Robocalls in July; 3% Rise Over JuneIRVINE, Calif., Aug. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The national robocalling nightmare rose to 2.59 billion calls received in July, a 2.7% increase over June and a 7.5% increase over the same month last year, bringing the total to 17.2 billion robocalls received nationwide in the first seven months of 2017. Notably, Texas was blitzed by a record-breaking 307.9 million calls in July, or 11 robocalls per person, marking the most robocalls received by any state in a single month since recordkeeping began in June 2015. In addition, 40 of the 50 Most Robocalled Cities in America posted month-on-month increases in robocalling volumes in July. The 2.59 billion calls received nationwide equals an estimated 83.8 million robocalls per day in July. That pace equates to 3.5 million robocalls per hour, or some 58,000 calls during every minute of the month. For any given hour, over 1% of the country received a robocall. In fact, the actual problem is worse because there are fewer calls during nighttime, meaning for any given hour during daytime, roughly 2% of the country is getting a robocall. These estimates come from YouMail, a free service that has helped consumers stop over 500 million robocalls in the past year. YouMail compiles the scope and location of the worst robocalling hotspots across the country by area code in the YouMail Robocall Index™. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has cited statistics from the YouMail Robocall Index as a definitive source for national data trends, just as more consumers are downloading the YouMail app to safeguard their mobile phones. "Despite increased efforts by the FCC and wireless carriers to fight back, our national robocalling plague continues to afflict too many American consumers," said Alex Quilici, CEO of YouMail. "We would advise frustrated people to take direct action by downloading a call-blocking solution onto their phones and then avoid answering any calls made from unfamiliar numbers." Inbound Robocalling "Lowlights" from July Five Texas area codes made the list of the 20 MostRobocalled Area Codes in July, including area codes 832, 214, 817, 281 and 713. Houston and Atlanta both had three area codes on the Top 20 List. In addition, three Florida area codes and two in New York made the list for July. Vermont posted the biggest month-on-month increase in robocalls for any state in July, rising 18% over June. Other states notching big gains in July included Utah (up 16.4%), Oregon (14.9%), Idaho (11.6%) and New Hampshire (10.8%). Outbound Robocalling "Lowlights" from June A large majority of robocalls in July were made by debt collectors, including two banks and one retailer which placed two phone numbers each on the Top 20 List of the nation's Most Prolific Robocalling Phone Numbers. Overall, those Top 20 Phone Numbers produced 186.8 million calls during the month. California was the state that made the most robocalls in July by far, with 219.1 million calls placed. That compares to #2 Texas (178.4 million), #3 Florida (150.7 million), #4 New York (112.4 million), and #5 Ohio (97.5 million). Four area codes in Texas made the 20 Most Robocalling Area Codes List for July, including Dallas area code 469, San Antonio area code 210, and Houston area codes 281 and 832. Los Angeles held onto its dubious distinction as the Most Prolific Robocalling City in July, rising 4.8% to 72 million calls placed. L.A. was followed by Chicago (64.5 million) and Dallas (62.3 million). Five cities more than doubled their outbound robocalls in July, including Duluth, Minn. (up 276.9% over June), Rochester, Minn. (up 188.2%), Green Bay, Wis. (179.8%), Cedar Rapids, Iowa (120.2%) and Kalamazoo, Mich. (108.3%). For more information about the YouMail Robocall Index or to view the latest report, please visit: http://robocallindex.com. To join the YouMail Robocall Index mailing list, please write to: [email protected]. About YouMail, Inc. Contact: View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-phones-slammed-by-26-billion-robocalls-in-july-3-rise-over-june-300500965.html SOURCE YouMail, Inc. |