A coalition representing credit unions, banks, lenders, student loan servicers and consumer advocates is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to overhaul its approach to combating illegal robocalls, arguing that the current STIR/SHAKEN caller ID authentication framework is failing to protect consumers, including millions of credit union members.
In a joint filing with the FCC, America’s Credit Unions and the Defense Credit Union Council joined other industry groups to detail how spoofed calls continue to drive billions in losses annually, despite years of mandated STIR/SHAKEN deployment. For credit unions, which disproportionately serve older adults, military families and lower-income consumers, fraudulent impersonation scams remain a top operational and member-protection threat.
The groups warn that the framework’s effectiveness is crippled by gaps in enforcement and outdated telecom infrastructure. Many calls still pass through legacy TDM networks that strip authentication data, leaving credit union members vulnerable to scammers posing as their financial institution. The filing cites insurer and FBI data showing a surge in scam activity, underscoring the need for stronger protections.
Among the recommendations: requiring all carriers to transition to IP-based networks by a firm deadline, increasing enforcement against providers that improperly “attest” to caller legitimacy, instituting stronger know-your-customer rules for telecom providers to keep bad actors off the network, and eliminating exemptions that allow certain carriers to evade compliance.
The organizations also encourage expanding caller-identity tools like branded calling and Rich Call Data, technologies that would allow credit unions to display verified names and logos during outbound calls, reducing member confusion and fraud risk.
Without these reforms, the groups argue, STIR/SHAKEN will continue to fall short of Congress’ expectations under the TRACED Act and leave credit union members exposed to increasingly sophisticated scams.
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