Newsroom

August 23, 2019

Telephone companies, AGs reach deal to combat robocalls

robocallsFifty-one attorneys general and 12 of the largest telephone companies in the U.S. signed a pledge to combat illegal robocalls by implementing call-blocking technology at no cost to consumers and a new caller identification framework known as SHAKEN/STIR. The framework is meant to target the spoofing of telephone numbers.

Mobile carriers, including AT&T, Comcast, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon, are among the companies to sign the pledge. While there is no deadline to implement the robocall protections, there are eight principles outlined in the agreement.

In June, the FCC proposed a rulemaking to require phone companies to adopt the framework. NAFCU, along with several other trade organizations, recommended that the agency direct voice service providers to notify callers and consumers of blocked calls and remove erroneous blocks expeditiously in order to receive safe harbor protection. The association has shared concerns about erroneously blocking credit unions' calls to members.

NAFCU has actively worked with the FCC on efforts to modernize the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) for more than three years, and will continue to share credit unions' concerns with Congress to ensure credit unions can contact their members without fear of frivolous litigation.