Stop Unwanted Telephone Calls and Messages

Because your landline and wireless phone numbers are easy to find thanks to public records, telemarketers and other solicitors use these tools to annoy you, usually in the evening hours while your family eats dinner, though many calls may come in during the day or later in the evening and they could be excessive. To protect you, Congress passed the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) in 1991. As a result, the Federal Communications Commission enforces consumer laws that require all phone solicitors to provide their name, the person or organization for which they are calling and a contact telephone number. 

Additionally, a National Do-Not Call List prohibits solicitation calls from contacting registered numbers. The list works for personal landline and wireless numbers. Another annoyance, autodialers and predictive dialers, produce, store and dial telephone numbers in a random or sequential number order. When you answer the phone, you hear a computerized or pre-recorded voice or a hang up. After you answer the call, predictive dialers must transfer the call to a live agent within two seconds. Autodialer or predictive callers must identify the business or individual responsible for the call and a number you can call to stop receiving these calls.

Telephone solicitations include calls that advertise a product or service. If you’ve already done business with the solicitor or have given them permission to contact you, they may legally call you. Stop these solicitations by asking the caller to remove your number from their list. To register for the Do-Not-Call list, call 1-888-382-1222 from the number you wish to register or sign up via www.donotcall.gov. If the calls continue, consider pursuing legal action for violation of consumer laws. 

Your state might also allow you to file a lawsuit against violators of the Do-Not-Call rules. Track the calls by listing the date and time of the call, the caller ID number, purpose of the call and if your number is included on the Do-Not-Call list. A state can also file a civil lawsuit against the entity or organization that consistently violates TCPA or FCC rules. Since the act provides for relief and accountability for violations, contact an experienced lawyer with complaints, and receive consumer protection from solicitous telephone calls.

Last Modified: Friday, May 17, 2013