Current efforts to undermine the “Do Not Call” law could lead to an increase in telephone scams and harm consumers’ privacy
In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Klobuchar called on the Administration to protect American families by rejecting calls to weaken the law
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar is fighting to protect families from intrusive telemarketing calls. Currently the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is considering public comments that could undermine the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) of 1991 which created the “Do Not Call” list and put in place protections for consumers from aggressive telemarketers. Current efforts to undermine this law could lead to an increase in telephone scams and harm consumers’ privacy. In a letter with 13 of her colleagues to the FCC, Klobuchar called on the agency to protect American families by rejecting calls to weaken the law.
“Whether at home or on their mobile phones, consumers should not be subject to intrusive and unsolicited calls from telemarketers,” the senators wrote. “American families have enjoyed the convenience and privacy that the ‘Do Not Call’ list has provided for more than two decades, and the FCC should reject calls to weaken or undermine these consumer protections.”
Klobuchar has long supported efforts to crack down on fraudulent telemarketing and telemarketers violating the “Do Not Call” list. Klobuchar has introduced the bipartisan Senior Fraud Protection Act, which would help fight scams, like fraudulent telemarketing, designed to strip seniors of their assets. Klobuchar has also called on the Department of Justice to ramp up efforts fighting mass marketing scams, including scams that are violating the protections of the Do-Not-Call registry.
The full text of the letter is below.
Dear Chairman Wheeler:
When Congress passed the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) of 1991, the goal was clear: whether at home or on their mobile phones, consumers should not be subject to intrusive and unsolicited calls from telemarketers.
More than 20 years after the enactment of the TCPA, it is clear that consumers have benefited from the law’s protections. In 1991, Congress was primarily concerned with stopping phone calls while families were eating meals together, parents were helping children with homework, or workers were arriving home after work. By banning auto dialing and pre-recorded calls to land lines and mobile phones, with certain exceptions, and establishing the National Do Not Call Registry, the law created a zone of privacy that remains hugely popular with consumers to this day.
Unfortunately, today there are efforts to weaken this important law. In response to industry requests, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking comment on proposed rules that would provide exemptions and questionable safe harbors for businesses that utilize auto-dialers to call consumers’ mobile devices. We have deep concerns about these proposed changes that undermine the intent and spirit of the TCPA.
American consumers have enjoyed the convenience and privacy that the protections the TCPA have provided for more than two decades. These protections should continue for years to come. The FCC should reject calls to weaken or undermine this effective law.
Thank you for your attention to this issue.
Sincerely,
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