Despite government efforts to clamp down, nuisance calls are rising, with a staggering quarter of a billion phone numbers now logged on the US National Do Not Call Registry. New data reveals that Americans are increasingly besieged by unwanted telemarketing and scam calls.
A Registry Bursting at the Seams
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the US consumer protection agency, reported that by 30 September 2025, the registry contained 258,515,050 active registrations. This colossal figure represents the phone numbers of citizens seeking refuge from intrusive sales pitches and fraudulent schemes.
In 2025 alone, consumers added 4.8 million new numbers to the list, a rise of 1.9 percent compared to the previous year. The registry, launched on 27 June 2003, was inundated with over 10 million sign-ups in its first four days, demonstrating a long-standing public frustration.
Top Offenders and Robocall Resilience
The FTC also identified the most common types of unwanted calls plaguing households. The chief culprits include:
- Debt reduction schemes
- Scammers impersonating government or business officials
- Medical, prescription, and energy-related offers
- Solar panel, utility, home improvement, and cleaning service promotions
Beyond registering numbers, the system allows for specific complaints. In 2025, it received more than 2.6 million complaints, with robocalls being the number one grievance. While robocall complaints saw a slight uptick in the 2025 fiscal year, the FTC notes they remain "substantially lower" than the peak in FY 2017. The commission credits this to enforcement actions against Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers that facilitate illegal calls.
States Most Affected by Nuisance Calls
The FTC data pinpointed which US states endured the highest volume of complaints per capita. The top five, based on complaints per 100,000 people, were:
- Arizona - 1,028 complaints
- Tennessee - 1,017 complaints
- Nevada - 960 complaints
- Illinois - 943 complaints
- Florida - 933 complaints
The relentless stream of unwanted calls, particularly automated robocalls, underscores a persistent challenge for regulators and consumers alike. While tools like the Do Not Call Registry provide a mechanism for reporting, the data suggests scammers and aggressive telemarketers are undeterred, adapting their tactics to evade crackdowns.
