FCC announces free beta test for reassigned number database

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced a beta test period for credit unions to access its Reassigned Numbers Database for free from July 1 through Sept. 30.

According to the FCC, participation in the beta test will enable callers and caller agents to understand usage needs prior to signing up for a paid subscription, and to test the system and provide feedback to the administrator, among other advantages. It will also allow callers to qualify for a safe harbor from Telephone Consumer Protection Act liability.

The FCC’s 2015 TCPA Declaratory Ruling found that, even if a caller does not know a number has been reassigned, any calls in addition to the one-call safe harbor could result in a TCPA violation.

Due to the potential compliance and litigation risk, the FCC has been working for several years on a database for callers to check to see if a number has been reassigned.

 

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