Published: November 2017

Credit unions must follow robocall/text consent laws

When a national credit union association asked for an exemption to gaining consent of credit union customers before sending unsolicited texts and robocalls, consumer advocates cried foul, asking the Federal Communications Commission to deny the exemption request.

Consumer Action joined the National Consumer Law Center and other groups in opposing exemptions requested by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) from the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, a law requiring consumer consent before sending "robocalls" and texts. The groups submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission arguing that the requested exemptions are not legally permitted under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Therefore, exempting credit unions from the consent requirement would add to the number of unwanted robocalls now made by financial institutions. Almost 60 million robocalls are now made monthly by financial institutions just to collect consumer debt—allowing credit unions to make calls without consent would add significantly to this number. 

Lead Organization

National Consumer Law Center

Other Organizations

National organizations: Americans for Financial Reform | Consumer Action | Consumer Federation of America | Consumers Union | National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) National Association of Consumer Advocates | Public Citizen | U.S. PIRG (For state and local groups, please download the letter.)

Download PDF

Credit unions must follow robocall/text consent laws   (comments-opposing-cuna-petition.pdf)