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Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-110

§227a Consumer Education Materials on How to Avoid Scams That Rely Upon Misleading or Inaccurate Caller Identification Information

Title 47 › CHAPTER 5 — WIRE OR RADIO COMMUNICATION › SUBCHAPTER II — COMMON CARRIERS › Part I — Common Carrier Regulation › § 227a

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Commission, working with the Federal Trade Commission, must create consumer education materials within one year after March 23, 2018. The materials must explain how to spot scams that use fake or misleading caller ID and describe any available technologies that can help protect consumers, including how those tools work and how to get and use them. The Commission must keep the materials updated regularly and put them on its website.

Full Legal Text

Title 47, §227a

Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(1)Development of materials
Not later than 1 year after March 23, 2018, the Commission, in coordination with the Federal Trade Commission, shall develop consumer education materials that provide information about—
(A)ways for consumers to identify scams and other fraudulent activity that rely upon the use of misleading or inaccurate caller identification information; and
(B)existing technologies, if any, that a consumer can use to protect against such scams and other fraudulent activity.
(2)Contents
In developing the consumer education materials under paragraph (1), the Commission shall—
(A)identify existing technologies, if any, that can help consumers guard themselves against scams and other fraudulent activity that rely upon the use of misleading or inaccurate caller identification information, including—
(i)descriptions of how a consumer can use the technologies to protect against such scams and other fraudulent activity; and
(ii)details on how consumers can access and use the technologies; and
(B)provide other information that may help consumers identify and avoid scams and other fraudulent activity that rely upon the use of misleading or inaccurate caller identification information.
(3)Updates
The Commission shall ensure that the consumer education materials required under paragraph (1) are updated on a regular basis.
(4)Website
The Commission shall include the consumer education materials developed under paragraph (1) on its website.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was enacted as part of the Repack Airwaves Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern Services Act of 2018, also known as the RAY BAUM’S Act of 2018, and as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, and not as part of the Communications Act of 1934 which comprises this chapter.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Definitions For definition of “Commission” as used in this section, see section 2 of div. P of Pub. L. 115–141, set out as a note under section 155a of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

47 U.S.C. § 227a

Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110