CUNA voices major concerns over FCC ruling on robocalls
WASHINGTON, DC (May 22, 2019) — The Federal Communication Commission (FCC or the Commission) is scheduled to consider its draft Declaratory Ruling (the Ruling) and third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPR) at an upcoming opening meeting on June 6. Credit Union National Association (CUNA) wrote to National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Chairman Rodney Hood to express serious concerns with the ruling and request that he intervene by asking that the FCC delay and reconsider.
CUNA has been vocal about proposed action by the Commission that would block robocalls by default, believing it could result in serious disruptions to vital credit union-member communications. Chairman Ajit Pai announced last week the FCC would vote on an order that would allow voice service providers to default block robocalls, only lifting the block once a consumer has specifically opted in to receive communications.
“We have significant concerns that the action the Commission intends to take is overly broad and could have a significant adverse impact on credit unions’ and other financial service providers’ ability to communicate with their members and customers,” CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle writes. “Our concerns are compounded by fact that the Commission’s order will become effective upon adoption in less than three weeks.”
The letter notes that consumers are harmed when they cannot receive time-sensitive calls and text messages with important information including communications between credit unions and their members.
“CUNA believes that that FCC’s ruling will, unfortunately, further erode credit unions’ ability to relay information on and implement consumer protections regarding fraud, privacy, and account activity,” Nussle continues. “As a result, the proposed declaratory ruling could not only potentially endanger consumers’ financial wellbeing, but also safe and sound credit union practices.”
Moving forward with this ruling takes the choice out of consumers’ hands and puts it in the hands of providers, which carries “a myriad of socio-economic implications” including credit union members not even being aware that they have blocked calls from their credit union.
About CUNA
Credit Union National Association (CUNA) is the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America’s credit unions, which are owned by 135 million consumer members. CUNA, along with its network of affiliated state credit union leagues, delivers unwavering advocacy, continuous professional growth and operational confidence to protect the best interests of all credit unions. For more information about CUNA, visit cuna.org. To find your nearest credit union, visit YourMoneyFurther.com.
