DHL Spam Text Messages May Violate Telemarketing Laws

Unsolicited DHL spam text messages may be in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, which prohibits unsolicited and automated text messages and calls.

Courier companies such as FedEx, UPS, DHL, and others may send text messages to customers expecting a delivery. These text messages may be useful to track packages, and they may not run afoul of the law as long as the companies get the recipient’s consent first. But sending automated text messages without that consent is prohibited by the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

The TCPA was passed by Congress in an attempt to manage the increasing number of unsolicited phone calls being received by American consumers. The act was later amended to cover all communications including cell phone calls, landline calls, text messages, and fax machine communications.

The TCPA contains a variety of rules designed to minimize harassing communications such as unsolicited DHL spam text messages.

First and foremost, the TCPA prohibits the use of autodialing systems and pre-recorded voice messages by businesses and debt collectors. Unless a consumer has affirmatively consented to communications using these methods, using an autodialing system or pre-recorded voice messages is a violation of TCPA.

There used to be an exception in the act which allowed these methods if a previous business relationship had been established between the two parties, but the exception has since been revoked. Now, affirmative consent is required in all cases.

Additionally, companies are required to identify who they are and what company they are calling on behalf of. This gives consumers additional information about the call.

The TCPA also requires companies to maintain an internal “do not call list” of consumers who have asked for phone calls to cease. The numbers on that list are required to not be called for the next five years.

This internal do not call lists are intended to be used in conjunction with the National Do Not Call registry. This registry, which was created by TCPA, is a “master list” of all numbers which have requested not to be contacted by telemarketers. If companies are found to have called a number on the National Do Not Call Registry, they may be forced to pay significant penalties.

Further rules are in place regarding phone calls made to landline phones. Residential landlines cannot be contacted before 8 am or after 9 pm, no exceptions. This rule stems from the previous practice of calling residential landlines at inconvenient times with the express purpose of harassing the residents.

The TCPA also provides the opportunity for affected consumers to recover compensation for violation such as the alleged DHL spam text messages. Under the act, violators may face the following penalties:

• $500 for each phone call in violation of TCPA
• $500 for each phone call made to a number on the Do Not Call Registry
• $1,500 for every willful violation of TCPA

Attorneys are investigating allegations regarding possible UPS, FedEx, and DHL spam text messages and phone calls. Although no legal action has yet been taken, attorneys may find that consumers have legal standing to file a suit against the offending couriers.

If you received unsolicited DHL spam text messages, phone calls, or similar communications from other couriers, you may be eligible to collect compensation under the TCPA.

Join a Free Courier Unwanted Text Message Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If a courier company such as UPS, FedEx or DHL has violated the TCPA by contacting you on your cell phone without receiving your express consent, you may qualify to file a courier TCPA lawsuit or class action lawsuit.

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