NARUC Applauds Inclusion of the Phone Scam Prevention Act of 2015 (S. 1759) in the Senate Commerce Committee-Adopted FCC Reauthorization Act of 2016 (S. 2644)

For Immediate Release: April 27, 2016
Contact: Regina L. Davis, 202-898-9382, rdavis@naruc.org

WASHINGTON—The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners released the following statement on the markup held by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee today.

“While NARUC has taken no position on the Federal Communications Commission Reauthorization Act of 2016 (S. 2644), we have endorsed the Phone Scam Prevention Act of 2015 (S. 1759), which was included in the bill substitute adopted today. We applaud the Committee for its leadership on this issue. Consumers are constantly barraged by unwanted telemarketing and scam calls and texts, made possible through the ease of spoofing phone numbers. NARUC supported the original Truth in Caller ID Act of 2010 and supports the needed changes adopted today to reflect advances in technology and consumer preferences.”

—NARUC President Travis Kavulla of Montana

“Scam artists spoof their phone numbers to pose as utility companies, police, the IRS, or other trusted public and private entities to scam consumers. Consumers need to know they can rely upon information displayed on their phones regarding the identity of those calling and texting them. Federal and State policymakers must work together to combat this serious problem, which costs consumers millions of dollars every year and undermines public trust in the institutions falsely represented by scammers.

“The Committee also included a provision in the FCC Reauthorization Act to require direct dialing of 9-1-1 from multi-line telephone systems (MLTS), also known as Kari’s Law (S. 2553). While NARUC has not taken a position on Kari’s Law, I personally applaud the Committee for including it. The requirement to dial an additional digit, such as ‘9’, on systems in hotels, offices and other facilities to get an outside line has caused consumer confusion and delayed access to emergency services. There is no more important call than the one made to 9-1-1. Consumers should be able to reach emergency services by just dialing 9-1-1, regardless of from where they are calling.”

—NARUC Committee on Telecommunications Chair Chris Nelson of South Dakota

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NARUC is a non-profit organization founded in 1889 whose members include the governmental agencies that are engaged in the regulation of utilities and carriers in the fifty States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. NARUC's member agencies regulate telecommunications, energy, and water utilities. NARUC represents the interests of State public utility commissions before the three branches of the Federal government.

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