WASHINGTON—NAFCU, CUNA and nine other trade groups, have asked for a comment period extension to April 10 on a rulemaking petition that would reverse the Federal Communications Commission’s interpretation that those who knowingly release their phone numbers have given consent to be called under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
“We believe that such a dramatic change would prevent consumers from receiving important communications from our members on their mobile phones, communications that provide critical information that consumers want and need to receive,” stated the letter sent to the FCC last week. “Each day, our members make calls to millions of our customers who would be impacted in a very negative way by the change proposed in the petition.”
Currently, comments are due on the petition by March 10. The groups said that isn’t enough time for the financial services industry or the public to consider the petition and give feedback.
The groups argue that a 60-day comment period would be consistent with President Donald Trump’s memorandum directing the heads of executive departments and agencies to delay, by 60 days, the effective date of regulations that have not taken effect, with certain exceptions, in order to allow for additional consideration of the regulation.
NAFCU said it will submit comments on the petition.
Along with NAFCU and CUNA, the letter was signed by the American Bankers Association, ACA International, American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management, American Financial Services Association, Consumer Bankers Association, Financial Services Roundtable, Independent Community Bankers of America, National Council of Higher Education Resources and Student Loan Servicing Alliance.