Consumer Affairs and Outreach Division

About the Division

The Consumer Affairs and Outreach Division (CAOD) engages the public through outreach and education initiatives to inform them about important consumer-related regulatory programs, telecommunications issues and other consumer issues that impact their day to day life.

Meet the Staff

Spotlight

Consumer Advisory: FCC Issues Warning About Websites Advertising the ACP

Some internet service providers have not updated their websites and other marketing materials to reflect that the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and its monthly discount on broadband services ended on June 1, 2024. Some provider websites even continue to collect personal information from consumers seeking enrollment in ACP.

Read the full text of the FCC Consumer Advisory.

If you encounter a website claiming to provide an ACP benefit or seeking personal information for ACP enrollment, file a complaint by visiting the FCC's Consumer Complaint Center at fcc.gov/complaints.

If you entered your personal information, like your social security number, credit card, or bank information on a website offering ACP enrollment after February 8, 2024, visit IdentityTheft.gov. There you'll see the specific steps to take based on the information that you shared.

The ACP ended due to a lack of additional funding by Congress.

ACP enrolled households are strongly encouraged to carefully review written notices from their internet company and from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), the ACP administrator, about the end of ACP.

Households are also encouraged to consult their internet company to learn more about how the end of the ACP will impact their internet service and bill.

November/December 2024 with Brief October Highlights

As we look forward to the upcoming months, first let's take a step back to highlight important information from October.

The Consumer Affairs and Outreach Division (CAOD) participates in various events throughout the year. One event where we provided information was the Schools, Health, and Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB) 2024 AnchorNets Conference. Information we highlighted included E-Rate, Unwanted Robocalls and Texts, Spoofing, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and Broadband Consumer Labels.

On October 23, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission issued a Notice of Inquiry seeking information on current customer service practices for cable, broadband, satellite TV, and voice customers. Persons or organizations interested in submitting a comment must do so on or before November 22, 2024. Reply comments are due on or before December 9, 2024. Comments and reply comments can be filed online using the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS).

At the FCC Open Meeting on Thursday, October 17, 2024, the FCC adopted a Report and Order that will require 100% hearing aid compatibility for wireless handset models offered for sale or use in the United States. Also during this meeting, the Commission adopted a Third Report and Order and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking requiring geo-routing for all wireless calls to 988 so that the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can connect callers to crisis centers based on the caller's location rather than area code. Archived footage of the Open Meeting is available.

November Highlights

November is National Veterans and Military Families Month. During this annual observance, we recognize the sacrifices and contributions made by military families. FCC resources are available to give veterans and military families information about cellphones, broadband consumer labels, and the Lifeline Program. Visit our Consumer Help Center additional information on various consumer issues.

The FCC's November 2024 Open Commission Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 21, 2024, starting at 10:30 a.m. ET. It will be streamed live. For information about the meeting agenda items, visit the November Open Meeting webpage.

December Highlights

The FCC's December 2024 Open Commission Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 11, 2024, starting at 10:30 a.m. The meeting will be streamed live. Additional information about the meeting will be posted on the Commission's December Meeting webpage closer to the event date.

Please remember that CAOD looks forward to hearing from you about these and other consumer-facing topics. Email us at Outreach@fcc.gov to schedule a meeting or request more information.

Consumer Education Materials

Download and Share

FCC consumer education materials are available to download in PDF format and print for outreach events.

Tip Cards and Posters
Consumer Guides
Consumer Help Center

FCC in the Classroom Please note: this booklet contains an activity called "TV Pictures In Motion" which involves flipping between two pages. For best results for this activity, we recommend you print this booklet double-sided. If that option does not work for you, the activity is on pages 10 and 12 and can still be done by flipping between those two pages or using loose copies of those pages.