While the collection and credit industries firmly support the “Mobile Informational Call Act of 2011," that, if passed, would allow collection calls to be placed to consumers' cell phones, most legislators are in the opposite corner.
A new report indicates state attorneys general are joining to oppose the proposed federal legislation.
"Consumers everywhere should know there is a federal proposal that would drive unwanted, costly robo-calls to their cell phones,” Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller says. "Congress should be working to strengthen constituents’ protections against unsolicited automated messages, not weakening them.”
Zoeller joined Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan in Chicago on Thursday to help warn consumers about the “Mobile Informational Call Act of 2011," formally known as House Resolution 3035. Their focus is on the often controversial "robo-call" language.
If passed, the proposal would amend the Communications Act of 1934 and allow for robo-calling to all cell phones, "leaving consumers to foot the bill," Zoeller said.
“This bill would allow for robo-calls to consumers’ cell phones without their explicit consent,” Madigan said. “It would open up the floodgates to telemarketers and debt collectors to call at all hours of the day, and prevent my office and other state attorneys general from enforcing strong laws that have previously banned this practice of robo-calling.”
Zoeller testified in opposition of the proposal last Friday before a U.S. House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing in Washington, D.C
Collections & Credit Risk wants to know more about why passing the "Mobile Informational Call Act of 2011" is important and/or what the industry is doing to support the measure. Contact Darren Waggoner, Editor, at darren.waggoner@sourcemedia.com or (312) 777-1379.
