FCC votes to approve call-blocking order but with safety mechanism

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today voted to approve its default call-blocking order, which includes a mechanism supported by CUNA and Cornerstone Credit Union League for challenging erroneous call blocking. 

CUNA and Cornerstone were concerned the order would lead to credit unions being unable to reach members with important information due to members being unaware the calls have been blocked. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said Wednesday that the proposal had been modified in response to feedback to include a “safety valve” to allow legitimate callers to file complaints with voice carriers over erroneously blocked calls, which CUNA called for in its comment letter.

Cornerstone Regulatory and Compliance Counsel Suzanne Yashewski praised credit unions for responding quickly, as a result of FCC's unusually brief comment deadline. “Comments filed by Cornerstone, CUNA, and others in the industry had a positive impact on the FCC ruling issued, which now provides a method to challenge erroneously blocked calls," she said. "We thank those credit unions that took time to file comments."

More than 1,000 credit union advocates contacted the FCC with letters describing concerns and urging changes to the proposal so that credit unions can continue to communicate and provide members with critical information. 

Ryan Donovan, CUNA chief advocacy officer, said, “Over the last few months, CUNA, leagues, and credit unions worked directly with the FCC, Congress, the CFPB, and NCUA to ensure that any approach to stem robocalls protects credit unions’ ability to contact members and protect their financial health and security. This is how we approach every issue, and it has proven successful time and time again.”