How Do I Block Spam Calls from Car Dealerships?

If you have been receiving more spam calls now than ever before, you aren’t alone. Approximately half of all mobile calls are made by spam callers. In 2017, more than 30 billion robocalls were reportedly made to American consumers, costing them millions as well as causing frustration and anxiety. However, consumers who have received spam calls from car dealerships, realtors, and other companies may have legal rights they can exercise to stop these calls.

How Do I Block Spam Calls From Car Dealerships?

Consumers who have been harassed with spam phone calls from car dealerships and other companies may have several options available to them when it comes to stopping these intrusive calls.

Many cell phone providers offer call-blocking services to customers, and many cell phones now come with built-in call blocking technology. Checking under your cell phone settings or contacting your service provider may give you additional information on what features are available to you. Some cell phone providers offer call-blocking to consumers who wish to sign up for the service.

Even if your cell phone doesn’t come with built-in call blocking, there are still a variety of ways to prevent spam phone calls, including filing a complaint with the FTC, registering your phone number with the Do Not Call Registry, or installing a spam calls blocker, according to The Verge.

What Does A Spam Calls Blocker Do?

Consumers may be able to install a spam calls blocker app on their cell phone, or a physical call blocker on their landline phone. Call blocking apps may be free or paid, and can do things like labeling suspected spam calls as “spam” or “scam likely”. These apps may also be able to block these calls, cause them to ring silently, or send them straight to voicemail.

Physical call blockers for landline phones may also be able to block calls or send them straight to voicemail. These call blockers may operate using a blacklist, which is a list of numbers that are prohibited from going through to the phone, or a white list of numbers that are allowed to go through.

However, while call blocking services may be helpful in reducing the number of annoying phone calls customers receive, these services are not fool-proof and may sometimes also block legitimate calls. Additionally, while some of these services allow consumers to block specific numbers, most scammers will simply start calling from a different number if they realize they are not getting through.

How Can I Report Spam Calls?

If you have attempted to block incoming spam calls from car dealerships or other companies and are still being harassed by spam calls, you may be able to report these calls to the FTC.

The FTC enforces the Do-Not-Call list, as well as the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, which affords consumers legal rights when it comes to intrusive solicitation calls and pre-recorded calls. Consumers who receive spam calls may be able to report them to the FTC over the phone or through the organization’s Complaint Assistant webpage. On this page, consumers can choose which type of scam or spam call they have received, and give the FTC additional information regarding the entity calling them.

In addition to reporting these calls, some consumers may be eligible to file a class action lawsuit against the company responsible for harassing them. In order to do so, consumers may find it helpful to keep records of when they have received spam calls, who the calls were from, and the nature of the call. Saved call records, voicemails, and text messages may all be useful evidence in a case against the spam caller.

Are Spam Calls Against the Law?

Most spam phone calls are against the law. Calls that are made using an automatic dialing system and a pre-recorded voice are only legal if they are purely informational, or if you have given the company your express consent to be contacted. Generally, consumers must have a prior business relationship with the company calling them in order for these calls to be legal. But many consumers have reported being contacted by car dealerships or manufacturers despite never doing business with these companies.

Calls made to consumers without their consent may be in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Violations of the TCPA may entitle consumers to pursue compensation of between $500 to $1,500 for each illegal phone call. Hiring an experienced TCPA attorney to review your case may make it more likely for you to halt these spam phone calls and receive financial compensation. Top Class Actions knows the challenge in finding such lawyers and has done the legwork to assist you with finding a qualified lawyer to help you.

Join a Free Car Dealership TCPA Violations Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

You may be eligible to join this lawsuit investigation into car dealership TCPA violations under the following circumstances:

• You did NOT provide express permission in writing to the car dealership to receive the calls or messages.
  You did NOT purchase a vehicle from the dealership that is contacting you.

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