Even with modern technology of caller ID, unwanted phone calls can be annoying. This is especially true when these calls are from telemarketers. But you don’t have to shut off your phone to make these calls stop. There are some measures you can take, including legal action.
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) was enacted in 1991 to protect consumers from unwanted solicitation calls. The FCC has amended the terms of the act a few times, adding additional layers of protection for people from these calls. The TCPA aims at preventing automatic dialing systems or automated recordings from calling your line. Telemarketers are required to comply or face extensive fines for each violation.
Do Not Call Registry
People who are fed up with these calls can put their number on the National Do Not Call Registry list. The government created this list in 2003 and it is aimed at enforcing the TCPA by informing telemarketers of numbers that should not be contacted. There are a couple of ways to put your number on the list. You can visit the donotcall.gov website, or you can call 1-888-382-1222. But you must be calling from the phone you want to register.
Manually Block Numbers
For people getting bothersome or unwanted phone calls on their smartphones, there is an option to block calls from incoming numbers. The only problem is that many unscrupulous marketers use robot dialers from a bank of phone lines to call your number. So even if you block a single number, the next number in the sequence could pull your number from a computer and be dialing you next.
If you’ve done everything you can and you are still receiving unwanted phone calls, legal help can not only stop the calls but those companies could be liable and owe you money.
The Carter Law Firm represents clients in matters pertaining to the following types of unlawful activities:
- Autodialed Political Calls
- Autodialing
- Collection Calls from Bill Collectors to your Cell Phone (Case by Case Basis)
- Illegal Pre-Recorded or Artificial Voice Messages
- Prerecorded Voice Political Calls
- Robocalls after Being Told to Stop
- Text Message Spam
- Unauthorized Telemarketing Calls
- Unauthorized Text Messages
- Unauthorized Unsolicited Faxes Advertising Products or Services
Not all unsolicited calls are unlawful or subject to fines. For example, the Do Not Call Registry does not provide protection from telephone calls made by organizations with which you have a prior or well-established business relationship, non-commercial calls, calls which are not made to solicit business, calls made by non-profit or tax-exempt organizations, or communications to which you have consented in writing.
However, please bear in mind that your prior consent may be revoked at any time and these exclusions may not apply if you are not the intended recipient.
For additional information regarding Telemarketing Violations, please complete our Contact Us case evaluation form and a representative from our firm will contact you as soon as possible.
