Blogs

Telemarketers. You Report Them. We Stop Them.

Top TCPA Violations In Robocalls

[shared_counts]
Top TCPA Violations In Robocalls

Robocalls are illegal when they violate the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Here’s what you need to know:

  • No Consent for Robocalls or Texts: Companies must have your clear, written consent to send automated calls or marketing texts.
  • Do Not Call Registry Violations: Telemarketers cannot call numbers registered on the National Do Not Call Registry.
  • Ignoring Stop Requests: If you ask a telemarketer to stop calling, they must comply immediately.
  • Fake Caller IDs: Using hidden or spoofed numbers to trick you into answering is against the law.

What You Can Do:

  1. Document calls: Note the phone number, date, time, and details of the call or text.
  2. Report violations: Services like ReportTelemarketer.com let you file complaints and even recover compensation (up to $500 per violation).

Take action to protect yourself and help reduce robocalls for everyone by reporting these violations.

Understanding TCPA for Telemarketing

1. Making Robocalls Without Permission

Under the TCPA, making automated robocalls without clear consent is against the law. Telemarketers often rely on dialing systems and pre-recorded messages without obtaining explicit permission – even if they have a number from a prior interaction. These violations come with hefty fines designed to discourage mass calling campaigns.

This practice has faced sharp criticism:

"As a consumer protection firm, we use the telephone consumer protection laws to stop telemarketers from harassing consumers." – ReportTelemarketer.com

Common tactics used in illegal robocalls include:

  • Automated dialing systems that make calls without human involvement
  • Pre-recorded messages instead of live operators
  • Artificial voice calls generated by computer systems

If you’re receiving these calls, documenting the details is essential for taking action. Note the phone number, date, time, whether a recorded message was used, and any information about the company. Consumer protection services can use this information to investigate, send cease-and-desist letters, and file formal complaints against violators.

Sending marketing texts without proper consent is a clear violation of the TCPA, much like unauthorized robocalls. Under the law, businesses must have explicit written consent before sending promotional text messages. Failing to comply can result in a $500 penalty for each text sent without permission.

It’s important to note that even a prior business relationship does not count as consent. The TCPA specifically requires businesses to get clear, written authorization before using automated systems to send marketing texts.

3. Calling Numbers on the Do Not Call Registry

Under the TCPA, calling numbers listed on the National Do Not Call Registry is prohibited. This registry allows individuals to opt out of telemarketing calls. Businesses that contact these numbers can face legal consequences.

If you’re still receiving calls after adding your number to the registry, check your registration status on the official website. You can also report violations. Services like ReportTelemarketer.com can assist in investigating these calls and taking appropriate legal steps. As they explain:

"If ReportTelemarketer.com can successfully identify the telemarketer and determine that the telemarketer did not have consent to call or text you, then they may file a cease and desist letter or a formal complaint against the telemarketer to get the calls stopped."

sbb-itb-a8d93e1

4. Hidden or Fake Caller ID

Caller ID spoofing happens when telemarketers manipulate their phone numbers to deceive people into answering calls. This practice is illegal under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and can lead to serious legal trouble for those responsible.

These telemarketers often display fake numbers on recipients’ phones. For example, one telemarketer was reported for using a school’s phone number as their caller ID to increase the chances of someone picking up.

Common Spoofing Tricks

  • Displaying local area codes to appear familiar
  • Using numbers that belong to trusted institutions
  • Completely hiding caller ID information

These methods make it harder for people to recognize unwanted calls. To protect yourself, be cautious of unexpected calls, even if they seem to come from familiar numbers. Don’t blindly trust what shows up on your caller ID – verify the number if possible. If you’re unsure, let the call go to voicemail and check later.

"Used fake ID caller. Telemarketer. Same one that used a school as fake caller ID." – User report from ReportTelemarketer.com

Keep track of calls with fake IDs by writing down the number, date, time, and any details about the call. This information can be helpful when reporting the issue to consumer protection agencies. Telemarketers using spoofed caller IDs risk facing hefty fines and legal action under TCPA regulations. Reporting these incidents helps strengthen your case and hold offenders accountable.

5. Continuing Calls After Stop Requests

Few things are more aggravating than telemarketers ignoring clear requests to stop calling. Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), telemarketers are legally required to stop contacting you once you’ve asked them to. A simple "stop calling" or "remove me" is enough to make your wishes clear. Ignoring these requests not only violates the TCPA but also opens the door to legal consequences.

Keep Detailed Records

If telemarketers continue to call despite your request, keeping thorough records is key. Make sure to document:

  • The date and time you first requested them to stop
  • The name of the representative you spoke with (if applicable)
  • Details of any calls you received after your request
  • Confirmation numbers, if they provided any
  • Dates, times, phone numbers, and notes about the repeated calls

Having this information will help you build a strong case against the offending telemarketers.

What You Can Do

If the calls don’t stop:

  1. Submit your records to a consumer protection service like ReportTelemarketer.com. These organizations specialize in investigating and addressing TCPA violations.
  2. Consider legal action. Consumer protection services can send cease-and-desist letters or file formal complaints against the telemarketer, which often puts an end to the harassment.

Steps to Report TCPA Violations

Here’s how you can report TCPA violations using ReportTelemarketer.com.

Gather Key Information

Start by collecting all the necessary details about the violation. This includes:

  • The phone number that contacted you
  • Dates and times of the calls
  • The content of any automated messages
  • Notes on interactions with live representatives
  • Screenshots of unwanted text messages
  • Proof of any requests you made to stop contact

Submit Your Report

Fill out the report form with all the collected details. Providing accurate information helps strengthen efforts to address robocalls effectively.

What Happens After Submission

Once your report is submitted, ReportTelemarketer.com takes the following steps:

1. Review
Their legal team examines your case and uses advanced tools to identify the telemarketer.

2. Evaluate
If violations are confirmed, they may:

  • Send a cease and desist letter
  • File a formal complaint
  • Take legal action to stop further calls

3. Take Action
When evidence supports it, they pursue legal action at no cost to you.

Key Points to Keep in Mind

ReportTelemarketer.com offers this service free of charge for consumers. Their fees are recovered directly from telemarketers when successful. While all reports are reviewed, they decide which cases to pursue based on the evidence and the likelihood of stopping the violations.

Conclusion

The examples above highlight how telemarketers often find ways to sidestep the TCPA’s rules. Robocalls and other violations remain a persistent issue for consumers across the U.S. Knowing the types of violations – like unauthorized calls, marketing texts, hidden caller IDs, or ignoring stop requests – can help you better protect yourself. The law allows consumers to claim up to $500 per violation.

You have the right to act against TCPA violations, and doing so can discourage future offenses. Penalties, cease-and-desist letters, and formal complaints are all tools available to enforce compliance with these consumer protection laws.

Registering your number with the National Do Not Call Registry adds an extra layer of protection against these unwanted calls. With this information, you can respond quickly and effectively when violations occur.

Modern tools and resources make it easier than ever to fight back against illegal robocalls. By documenting and reporting violations, you’re not only protecting yourself but also contributing to broader efforts to curb illegal telemarketing practices.

Related posts

0 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

By adding a comments, I agree to the terms & conditions.

Did You Receive a Call or Text from a Telemarketer?