TPUC Supports Federal TRACED Act

COMMISSION SUPPORTS “TRACED” -
THE ACT TO DETER UNWANTED  TELEMARKETING CALLS

Nashville, Tennessee – The Tennessee Public Utility Commission (TPUC) this week endorsed Federal legislation designed to reduce the number of unwanted telemarketing calls households and businesses nationwide receive.   

The Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act, also known as “TRACED” – was introduced in the United States Senate this year to address the expanding wave of unsolicited telemarketing calls known as “spoofing.” Spoofing is the act of using technology to disguise the origin of an unknown source for the purpose defrauding and swindling its targets. The practice of spoofing has impacted the enforcement of the Tennessee and others states’ Do Not Call programs.

TPUC Commission Chair Robin L. Morrison expressed full support for TRACED. “While the proposed TRACED Act may not resolve all aspects of the ongoing program, it represents a credible and bipartisan effort to identify and pursue those who have flaunted the law,” she said. “This problem is not going to go away without industry wide cooperation with state and federal authorities.”  

The TRACED Act gives phone service providers 12 to 18 months from enactment to establish and implement a call authentication framework, in addition to other provisions to help target unlawful companies that spoof.

Contact: Greg Mitchell, Media
(615) 741-6883