Autodialer
Software or hardware that automatically dials large volumes of telephone numbers, used legitimately for reminders but extensively abused for scam campaigns.
Also known as: auto-dialler, robo-dialler, predictive dialler
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
An autodialer (also called a predictive dialler or robo-dialler) dials numbers from a list or generates them sequentially, connecting answered calls to a pre-recorded message or a live agent queue. In legitimate contexts — healthcare appointment reminders, emergency broadcasting — autodialers serve useful purposes. In fraud, they are the engine behind robocall campaigns, wangiri attacks, and mass vishing operations.
Modern autodialers are cloud-based VoIP platforms that can be rented cheaply, often by the minute. They include caller-ID spoofing capabilities, call-progress detection (to skip voicemail), and CRM-style scripts for live agents to follow. A single fraudulent call centre can run thousands of simultaneous outbound calls with minimal infrastructure cost.
Legislation like the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) in the US and similar rules in the UK and EU restrict unsolicited autodialled calls. However, enforcement against offshore operations is limited. Consumers can register with 'Do Not Call' registries, use call-screening apps, and report unwanted calls to telecoms regulators.
Examples
- A scam call centre uses an autodialer to place 50,000 calls per hour across multiple countries, connecting answered calls to a live fraud script about compromised accounts.