In doing so, it attempted to balance the benefits of cost-effective telemarketing for businesses against the nuisance to victims of unsolicited phone calls. Congress responded to complaints from outraged and unprotected consumers by passing the TCPA. Prior to 1991, telephone solicitation and marketing companies operated in an unregulated, wild frontier, harassing defenseless consumers. The Congressional Findings Supporting the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) It also specifies several technical requirements for fax machines, autodialers, and voice messaging systems-principally through provisions requiring that identification and contact information of the entity using the device is contained in the message. The TCPA limits the use of automatic dialing systems, artificial or pre-recorded voice messages, SMS text messages, and fax machines. telemarketing) and the use of automated telephone equipment. § 227., and it restricts telephone solicitations (i.e.
Bush as Public Law 102-243, amending the Communications Act of 1934. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) was passed by the United States Congress in 1991 and signed into law by President George H. Legislative History of Telephone Consumer Protection Act The federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) is a law that prohibits telemarketers, banks, debt collectors, and other companies from using an autodialer or robocalls to call you either at home, or on your cell phone without your consent.