Combating Spam Text Messages with the TCPA

All across America, consumers contend with the constant annoyance of spam text messages that violate the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Legal experts encourage the public to be aware of their legal rights, and to learn how they can take legal action against a company who may be violating the TCPA.

Spam text messages are a form of unwanted advertisement sent to a person’s smartphone or any other kind of cellular electronic device which is used for communication. It goes by many names including mobile spamming, SMS spam, text spam and m-spam, most commonly. Ever since cellphones gained popularity in the early 2000s, spam text messaging has become more and more common. Consumers were angry with this development because unlike telephone or spam emails, they are charged for the spam text, regardless of whether or not they have consented to receiving the message.

While text message spam is generally less privacy-invasive than spam email, it is often considered more annoying because the recipient is required to open the text to remove it, exposing their device to potential malware. Additionally, the spam texts are often sent without any way for the recipient to contact the sender, in violation of the TCPA.

Methods to Combat Unwanted Spam Text Messages

Legal experts encourage the public to be well-informed regarding the laws governing spam text messages or any other kind of unwanted advertisement. For example, telemarketers can only call during specific hours of the day, and must be able to provide a valid name, employer, return number, and allow the recipient to register on their ‘Do-Not-Call’ list.

>>File a Text Spam Lawsuit

To stop unwanted text messages, several mobile service providers allow their client to forward them unwanted spam text messages by simply texting the messages to 7726 (or “SPAM”), which notifies the providers to prevent future unwanted text messages from being sent to their clients. However, if the customers do not have servers that provide this service, there are other ways to combat unwanted text messages. Consumers are encouraged to discuss the issue with their cellphone providers in order to block specific spammers or to have a spam text prevention service set up.

Consumers who feel they are being bombadred with unwanted text messages have the option of filing a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission. For this, the consumer must meet at least the following requirements:

• The message was sent without the recipient’s consent
• An automated dialing system sent the unwanted text message to to the consumer’s mobile phone

Violations of the TCPA can range from $500 if the company negligently violates the act up to $1500 if the company is found to be in willful violation of the TCPA.

File a TCPA Lawsuit Today

If you believe that you have received a phone call or text in violation of the TCPA, you have legal options. Please visit the Text Message Spam, Unwanted Cell Phone Calls TCPA Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation. There, you can submit your claim for a free legal review and if it qualifies for legal action, a seasoned TCPA lawyer will contact you for a free, no-obligation consultation. You will be guided through the litigation process at no out-of-pocket expenses or hidden fees. The TCPA attorneys working this investigation do not get paid until you do.