• calendar_month December 26, 2024
• folder RE News

Starting January 27, 2025, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will enforce updated rules under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), significantly impacting how businesses communicate with consumers. As a real estate professional at JohnHart, I believe my clients and fellow business owners must understand these changes.

What does that mean for you?

The new rule enhances protections for consumers against unwanted automated calls and texts. Businesses will need to obtain prior express written consent before using any automated system to contact consumers, even for informational messages. Even if a lead is generated by a third party, you can't call unless the person specifically named you.  Additionally, the updated regulation sets stricter requirements for opt-out mechanisms, ensuring consumers can easily revoke their consent.

For businesses, this means revisiting marketing and communication strategies to ensure compliance. Violations could result in hefty fines, reputational damage, and potential lawsuits. While this presents challenges, it also encourages businesses to prioritize transparency and build trust with their audience.

For real estate professionals, maintaining client relationships while adhering to the new rule will require a focus on personalized communication and consent-driven outreach. Clear disclosure consent is required, which means a person must clearly state they agreed to allow calls using automated systems or prerecorded voices. It must also disclose that signing is not a condition for buying or receiving services. 

This shift emphasizes respecting consumer preferences, offering an opportunity for businesses to enhance their reputation by demonstrating compliance and care. Have questions about how this may affect your business or real estate transactions? Let’s connect to discuss this!