Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509
will.wiquist@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC ANNOUNCES PRICING CHANGES FOR REASSIGNED NUMBERS DATABASE TO REDUCE UNWANTED ROBOCALLS
New Rates for Accessing Database Will Become Effective on April 27, 2022
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WASHINGTON, April 8, 2022— The Federal Communications Commission today announced that it is improving its Reassigned Numbers Database by making it more affordable and valuable for callers as a resource to reduce the number of unwanted phone calls Americans receive.  The FCC has updated its subscriber rate structure to support access by callers so they can avoid making unwanted calls and clarified its safe harbor rules to encourage the use of the database.

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 Reassigned Number Database is a first-of-its-kind resource to help callers reach their intended recipients while avoiding making calls that could trigger potentially costly liability for violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.  Callers that subscribe to the database can use it to determine whether a telephone number may have been reassigned so they can avoid calling consumers who do not want to receive the calls.

The Commission recently approved new usage pricing that will give users more pricing options, lower prices for most subscribers, and discounts for caller agents subscribing to the highest tiers.  For more information about pricing, please visit the Reassigned Numbers Database website at www.reassigned.us.

The Commission also has clarified for callers that using agents to check the database will not impair their eligibility for a safe harbor from liability under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.  The clarification resolves potential confusion about whether the use of agents – an option many callers may choose for convenience – would deprive them of the safe harbor.

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Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / Twitter: @FCC / www.fcc.gov 

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).