Lyft, First National Bank warned by FCC over inappropriate robo-call practices

Lyft Inc. along with parent company of First National Bank have been cited by the Federal Communications Commission for their policies on marketing messages and calls. The companies force customers for using their services through such policies.

According to reports, both companies have been warned by the commission that their policies breach the Telephone Consumer Protection Act as they do not let users avoid autodialed messages, which are used for marketing.

The FCC has issued just a warning to the companies and said it could start imposing fines if the two don’t change their policies. A first warning is issued to companies, not holding licenses with the FCC.

According to the commission, “To protect consumers from being forced to give consent unwillingly, FCC rules forbid requiring consumers to agree to receive marketing robocalls and autodialed calls/texts as a condition of purchasing any goods, services, or property”.

Lyft, which is the app-based ride hailing service, lets customers to avoid telemarketing texts and phone calls. However, there is a loophole. According to the FCC, when users opt out, they are not able to use service any longer. Additionally, the commission said that this feature is not easily available.

According to the citation, it is necessary that customers should agree to such autodialed marketing texts send by First National Bank, a unit of Pittsburgh-based F.N.B. Corp., if they think of using online banking services of the company or sync their card using Apple Pay.