On December 12, 2018, the FCC established a Reassigned Phone Number Database.  This database is intended to reduce unwanted calls while allowing debt collectors and telemarketers a resource to purge reassigned numbers from their call lists to avoid potential Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) liability.

The approved order establishes a single, comprehensive reassigned numbers database that will enable callers to verify whether a telephone number has been permanently disconnected and a minimum aging period of 45 days before permanently disconnected telephone numbers can be reassigned. 

The FCC is also providing callers a safe harbor from TCPA liability for calls to reassigned numbers caused by a database error. 

For additional information, please contact Dinsmore attorney Karen Hockstad.