WASHINGTON—NAFCU and CUNA have joined with other financial services trade associations in asking the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure financial services providers can contact consumers on matters related to the coronavirus pandemic during the national emergency.
In the petition, the coalition is urging the FCC to issue an expedited declaratory ruling, clarification or waiver that states autodialed or prerecorded calls placed by credit unions regarding the coronavirus pandemic are exempt “calls made necessary in any situation affecting the health and safety of consumers" using an autodialer or prerecorded voice message without prior consent.
Specific Requests
The groups asked for the exemption for informational calls and texts intended to:
- Offer payment deferrals, fee waivers, extension of repayment terms, or modification, forbearance or other delays in loan payments
- Advise consumers of branch closings, service limitations, reduced hours, or the availability of remote banking or other remote access options
- To warn consumers of potential fraud on their account
- To make consumers aware of programs, relief, and resources offered by the institution in response to the pandemic
The coalition previously petitioned the FCC for clarification following an appeals court's decision that invalidated the FCC's autodialer definition.