Taking Action to Stop Spam Calls – Guest Post

Do you receive unwanted calls from unknown numbers? Or are you tired of answering your phone only to find out it’s a spam call? You are not alone! According to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission), Americans receive approximately 2.4 billion spam calls per month. These calls can be annoying, frustrating, and, most importantly, a violation of our privacy. While we cannot eliminate all these calls, we can take action against them. In today’s blog post, we will discuss what auto-dial calls are, how they are illegal, and how you can take legal action against them.

What are Auto-dial Calls?

Auto-dial calls, also known as robocalls or automated calls, are pre-recorded messages made by a computerized system to a large number of phone numbers. They are often used by telemarketing companies to promote their products or services, political campaigns, and debt collection agencies, among others. These calls are usually unwanted and can be intrusive to our personal lives.

Why are Auto-dial Calls Illegal?

Auto-dial calls are illegal if they are made without the recipient’s consent. In 1991, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) was introduced to protect the privacy of consumers and regulate telemarketing calls. According to the TCPA, auto-dial calls are only legal if the recipient has given prior consent to the company making the calls. They are also illegal if they are made to emergency lines, healthcare providers, or companies that offer free call services. however, they are still used by many marketers because legal action is rarely taken by those being called.

How You Can Take Legal Action

If you receive unwanted auto-dial calls, there are several steps you can take to take legal action against them. You can add your phone number to the National Do Not Call Registry. It’s a free service that prevents telemarketers from calling your number. If you continue to receive unwanted calls, you can file a complaint with the FCC, which may result in fines or penalties for the telemarketing company. You can also consider hiring a lawyer to help you fight a personal case and stop spam calls.

How to Protect Yourself

Apart from taking legal action against these calls, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself. Never give your phone number to anyone unless it’s necessary. Don’t answer calls from numbers you don’t recognize, and never provide personal information such as your name or credit card number to an unknown caller. You can also install a call-blocking app on your phone that automatically filters out unwanted calls.

Conclusion

In conclusion, auto-dial calls are a violation of our privacy and can be intrusive to our personal lives. While we cannot entirely eliminate them, we can take action against them by filing a complaint with the FCC or hiring a lawyer. We can also protect ourselves by not giving out our phone numbers unnecessarily and installing call-blocking apps on our phones. With little effort, you can make a big difference in stopping spam calls and protecting your privacy.