---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 5721"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "5721"
heading: "Regulations"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/5721"
units:
  - "Chapter 83 — Telephone Disclosure and Dispute Resolution"
  - "Subchapter II — Billing and Collection"
---

# §5721. Regulations

- (a) **In general—**
  - (1) **Rules required—** The [Commission](/usc/15/5714.md?p=4) shall, in accordance with the requirements of this section, prescribe rules establishing procedures for the correction of billing errors with respect to [telephone-billed purchases](/usc/15/5724.md?p=1). The rules prescribed by the [Commission](/usc/15/5714.md?p=4) shall also include provisions to prohibit unfair or deceptive acts or practices that evade such rules or undermine the rights provided to [customers](/usc/15/5724.md?p=6) under this subchapter.
  - (2) **Substantial similarity to credit billing—** The [Commission](/usc/15/5714.md?p=4) shall promulgate rules under this section that impose requirements that are substantially similar to the requirements imposed, with respect to the resolution of credit disputes, under the Truth in Lending and Fair Credit Billing Acts [[15 U.S.C. 1601](/usc/15/1601.md) et seq., 1666 et seq.].
  - (3) **Treatment of rule—** A rule issued under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) shall be treated as a rule issued under [section 57a(a)(1)(B) of this title](/usc/15/57a.md?p=a-1-B).
- (b) **Rulemaking schedule and procedure—** The [Commission](/usc/15/5714.md?p=4) shall prescribe the rules under [subsection (a)](#a) within 270 days after October 28, 1992. Such rules shall be prescribed in accordance with [section 553 of title 5](/usc/5/553.md).
- (c) **Enforcement—** Any violation of any rule prescribed under [subsection (a)](#a) shall be treated as a violation of a rule under [section 45 of this title](/usc/15/45.md) regarding unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Notwithstanding [section 45(a)(2) of this title](/usc/15/45.md?p=a-2), communications common carriers shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the [Commission](/usc/15/5714.md?p=4) for purposes of this subchapter.
- (d) **Correction of billing errors and correction of credit reports—** In prescribing rules under this section, the [Commission](/usc/15/5714.md?p=4) shall consider, with respect to [telephone-billed purchases](/usc/15/5724.md?p=1), the following:
  - (1) The initiation of a billing review by a [customer](/usc/15/5724.md?p=6).
  - (2) Responses by billing entities and [providing carriers](/usc/15/5724.md?p=4) to the initiation of a billing review.
  - (3) Investigations concerning delivery of [telephone-billed purchases](/usc/15/5724.md?p=1).
  - (4) Limitations upon [providing carrier](/usc/15/5724.md?p=4) responsibilities, including limitations on a carrier’s responsibility to verify delivery of audio information or entertainment.
  - (5) Requirements on actions by billing entities to set aside charges from a [customer](/usc/15/5724.md?p=6)’s billing statement.
  - (6) Limitations on collection actions by billing entities and [vendors](/usc/15/5724.md?p=5).
  - (7) The regulation of credit reports on billing disputes.
  - (8) The prompt notification of credit to an account.
  - (9) Rights of [customers](/usc/15/5724.md?p=6) and telephone common carriers regarding claims and defenses.
  - (10) The extent to which the regulations should diverge from requirements under the Truth in Lending and Fair Credit Billing Acts [[15 U.S.C. 1601](/usc/15/1601.md) et seq., 1666 et seq.] in order to protect [customers](/usc/15/5724.md?p=6), and in order to be cost effective to billing entities.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 102–556, title III, § 301, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4191.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Truth in Lending Act, referred to in subsecs. (a)(2) and (d)(10), is title I of Pub. L. 90–321, May 29, 1968, 82 Stat. 146, which is classified generally to subchapter I (§ 1601 et seq.) of chapter 41 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1601 of this title and Tables.

The Fair Credit Billing Act, referred to in subsecs. (a)(2) and (d)(10), is title III of Pub. L. 93–495, Oct. 28, 1974, 88 Stat. 1511, which is classified principally to part D (§ 1666 et seq.) of subchapter I of chapter 41 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1974 Amendment note set out under section 1601 of this title and Tables.