TCPA

What is the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA)?

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) is a federal law enacted in 1991 to protect consumers from unwanted and intrusive telemarketing calls, text messages, and faxes. The TCPA was designed to give individuals control over who can contact them via phone and how often. It regulates the use of automated dialing systems, prerecorded voice messages, and unsolicited faxes, and it sets strict guidelines that telemarketers and debt collectors must follow when contacting consumers. At The Wood Law Firm, we are committed to protecting your rights under the TCPA. We help consumers take action against companies that violate this important law by bombarding them with unwanted and unlawful communications.

Key Protections Under the TCPA

The TCPA provides a range of protections aimed at reducing the number of unwanted communications consumers receive. Some of the most critical protections include:

Consent Requirement: Businesses must obtain your prior express consent before making automated calls or sending text messages to your mobile phone. This means you must give explicit permission for these contacts.
Right to Opt-Out: Even if you initially gave consent, you have the right to revoke it at any time. Businesses are required to honor your request to stop contacting you.
Prohibition of Automated Calls Without Consent: The TCPA restricts the use of automated dialing systems and prerecorded voice messages to your home or mobile phone unless you have given prior consent.
Restrictions on Fax Advertisements: The TCPA also applies to unsolicited fax advertisements, prohibiting businesses from sending these without your prior consent.

Unwanted Robocalls and Autodialed Calls

Robocalls and calls made using automated dialing systems are some of the most frequent TCPA violations. Common abuses include:

Calls Without Consent: Making automated calls to your mobile or home phone without your prior express consent.
Ignoring Opt-Out Requests: Continuing to call you even after you’ve explicitly asked the company to stop.
Frequent and Repetitive Calls: Flooding you with repeated automated calls, often in an attempt to pressure or harass you.

Unsolicited Text Messages

Text message marketing is another area where TCPA violations are common. Abusive practices include:

Unwanted Text Messages: Sending promotional or marketing text messages without your consent.
Text Spam: Bombarding you with multiple unsolicited text messages, often in a short period, in violation of the TCPA.

Prerecorded Voice Messages

The use of prerecorded voice messages, or robocalls, is strictly regulated under the TCPA. Violations include:

Unauthorized Prerecorded Messages: Delivering prerecorded voice messages to your phone without your consent.
Failure to Identify the Caller: Not providing clear information about the caller’s identity and the purpose of the call, which is required by law.

Unsolicited Fax Advertisements

The TCPA also prohibits sending unsolicited advertisements via fax, which can be both a nuisance and an invasion of privacy. Violations include:

Junk Faxes: Sending fax advertisements without your prior express invitation or permission.
Failure to Include Opt-Out Instructions: Not providing a clear and easy way for you to opt out of receiving future faxes.

Your Rights and Remedies Under the TCPA

If a company violates the TCPA, you have the right to take legal action. The TCPA allows consumers to file lawsuits to recover damages for each violation, which can result in significant financial penalties for the offending company. In many cases, consumers can receive between $500 and $1,500 per violation, depending on whether the violation was willful.

How The Wood Law Firm Can Help

At The Wood Law Firm, we specialize in protecting consumers from TCPA violations. We understand the frustration and disruption that unwanted calls, texts, and faxes can cause, and we are here to help you take back control. Our experienced team will assess your case, advise you on your rights, and pursue the maximum compensation available under the law.