Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Code of Federal Regulations Title 47. Telecommunication § 47.14.32 Consumer Dispute Assistance

Current as of January 02, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) A consumer or any other party may transmit a Request for Dispute Assistance to the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau by any reasonable means, including by the Commission's online informal complaint filing system, U.S. Mail, overnight delivery, or email to dro@fcc.gov. Any Requests filed using a method other than the Commission's online system should include a cover letter that references section 255, 716, or 718 or the rules of parts 6, 7, or 14 of this chapter and should be addressed to the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau. Any party with a question about information that should be included in a Request for Dispute Assistance should email the Commission's Disability Rights Office at dro@fcc.gov or call (202) 418–2517 (voice), (202) 418–2922 (TTY).

(b) A Request for Dispute Assistance shall include:

(1) The name, address, email address, and telephone number of the party making the Request (Requester);

(2) The name of the manufacturer or service provider that the requester believes is in violation of section 255, 716, or 718 or the rules in this part, and the name, address, and telephone number of the manufacturer or service provider, if known;

(3) An explanation of why the requester believes the manufacturer or service provider is in violation of section 255, 716, or 718 or the rules in this part, including details regarding the service or equipment and the relief requested, and all documentation that supports the requester's contention;

(4) The date or dates on which the requester either purchased, acquired, or used (or attempted to purchase, acquire, or use) the equipment or service in question;

(5) The Requester's preferred format or method of response to its Request for Dispute Assistance by CGB or the manufacturer or service provider (e.g., letter, facsimile transmission, telephone (voice/TRS/TTY), email, audio-cassette recording, Braille, or some other method that will best accommodate the Requester's disability, if any);

(6) Any other information that may be helpful to CGB and the manufacturer or service provider to understand the nature of the dispute;

(7) Description of any contacts with the manufacturer or service provider to resolve the dispute, including, but not limited to, dates or approximate dates, any offers to settle, etc.;  and

(8) What the Requester is seeking to resolve the dispute.

(c) CGB shall forward the Request for Dispute Assistance to the manufacturer or service provider named in the Request. CGB shall serve the manufacturer or service provider using the contact details of the certification to be filed pursuant to § 14.31(b). Service using contact details provided pursuant to § 14.31(b) is deemed served. Failure by a manufacturer or service provider to file or keep the contact information current will not be a defense of lack of service.

(d) CGB will assist the Requester and the manufacturer or service provider in reaching a settlement of the dispute.

(e) Thirty days after the Request for Dispute Assistance was filed, if a settlement has not been reached between the Requester and the manufacturer or service provider, the Requester may file an informal complaint with the Commission;

(f) When a Requester files an informal complaint with the Enforcement Bureau, as provided in § 14.34, the Commission will deem the CGB dispute assistance process closed and the requester and manufacturer or service provider shall be barred from further use of the Commission's dispute assistance process so long as a complaint is pending.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Code of Federal Regulations Title 47. Telecommunication § 47.14.32 Consumer Dispute Assistance - last updated January 02, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/cfr/title-47-telecommunication/cfr-sect-47-14-32/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard