AFSA Requests TCPA Exemptions for Consumer Finance Industry
The American Financial Services Association (AFSA) replied to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) proposed rulemaking regarding certain exemptions under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) for companies making calls to their customers. In a comment letter to the FCC, AFSA wrote in support of two current exemptions: (1) Non-commercial calls to a residence (Informational Calls Exemption) and (2) Financial-Institution calls to a wireless number (Financial Institutions Exemption).
AFSA opposes adding a numerical limit on informational calls as AFSA members make important, and often timely, calls to customers under this exemption including: calls concerning COVID-19-related forms of relief such as payment deferrals and fee waivers, branch hours and closings, and measures the company is taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Likewise, the Financial Institutions Exemption enables companies to quickly contact their customers to protect their financial security. Such communications which require a timely notification to customers include data breach notifications and COVID-19-related calls.
AFSA strongly supports the FCC’s efforts to protect individual privacy without preventing calls customers want and need. It is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that legitimate calls are not blocked are mislabeled.
November 5th, 2020
