WASHINGTON, D.C. -

The American Financial Services Association recently sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission, again stressing what officials called the need for more sensible rules implementing the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

AFSA insisted that penalties of up to $1,500 per violation of the TCPA have provided plaintiffs’ attorneys with “fodder” for lawsuits that “enrich the attorneys rather than compensate their clients.”

Associated officials highlighted the letter supported a petition filed by the Consumer Bankers Association (CBA). CBA’s petition asks the FCC to clarify that “called party,” for the purposes of the TCPA, refers to the intended recipient of the call.

“By confirming that intended recipients are called parties, the FCC will not only stem the tide of frivolous TCPA litigation, but also will prevent potential chilling of beneficial consumer communication, shield consumers from higher costs stemming from increased litigation and allow small businesses to grow,” AFSA said.