FINRA Series 7Seeks Business for the Broker-DealerMedium
A cold-calling representative wants to contact prospects during evening hours. Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) provisions incorporated into FINRA rules, calls to a residential prospect are generally prohibited before 8:00 a.m. or after what time, based on the prospect's local time?
- A10:00 p.m.
- B8:00 p.m.
- C9:00 p.m.
- D7:00 p.m.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 9:00 p.m.
Telemarketing calls to residential customers may only be made between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., local time of the called party. Calls outside this window violate telemarketing rules regardless of the caller's own time zone.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 10:00 p.m. exceeds the permitted calling window.
- B. 8:00 p.m. is not the correct cutoff time.
- D. 7:00 p.m. is too early; the cutoff is 9:00 p.m.
Telemarketing Calling Hours
Cold calls to residential prospects are restricted to between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., based on the local time of the person being called.
- Time is measured at the called party's location, not the caller's.
- Violations can result in FINRA and FTC/FCC enforcement.
- Applies to telemarketing calls, not established customers making inquiries.
Memory trick: 8 to 9, don't cross the line — call between dawn's light and evening's nine.