Media Contact: 
Mike Snyder, (202) 418-0997
michael.snyder@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC ESTABLISHES REASSIGNED PHONE NUMBERS DATABASE TO HELP REDUCE UNWANTED CALLS TO CONSUMERS

WASHINGTON, December 12, 2018—The Federal Communications Commission today adopted new rules to establish a reassigned numbers database that will reduce the number of unwanted phone calls Americans receive.  

Millions of phone numbers are reassigned each year.  When a consumer gets a new phone number that was previously assigned to another consumer, businesses and other callers frequently do not learn of the reassignment right away and may inadvertently call the new consumer rather than the prior holder of the number.  This results in the new consumer receiving unwanted calls and the prior number holder not receiving calls he or she expects, like notifications from a doctor’s office, financial institution, or school.

The new rules establish a single, comprehensive database with information provided by phone companies that callers will be able to use to avoid calling reassigned numbers.  Callers using the database will be able to find out if telephone numbers assigned to consumers who want their calls have been disconnected and made eligible for reassignment.  Any such numbers can then be purged from their call lists, thereby decreasing the number of unwanted calls to consumers.  To further encourage callers to use the database, the Commission is providing callers a safe harbor from liability for any calls to reassigned numbers caused by database error.    

The rules respond to consumer groups, trade associations, and state and federal authorities that asked the Commission to establish a single, comprehensive database as the best solution to reducing calls to reassigned numbers while minimizing burdens on both callers and providers.

Action by the Commission December 12, 2018 by Second Report and Order (FCC 18-177).  Chairman Pai, Commissioners O’Rielly, Carr, and Rosenworcel approving and issuing separate statements.

CG Docket No. 17-59

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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).