Reporting Nuisance Phone Calls: Your Guide to Taking Action

Nuisance phone calls can be telemarketing spam, robocalls, or harassment from debt collectors. These can disrupt your life and invade your privacy. These do not just annoy you but violate the federal laws like the TCPA, or Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

You should take action to report these calls and stop them from harassing you. Moreover, you can ask for compensation in certain cases. But, how do you stop nuisance phone calls? Let’s take a look.

What Are Nuisance Phone Calls?

Nuisance calls include:

• Robocalls: These are automated calls that play a prerecorded message and pitch products or scams.
• Telemarketing Calls: These are unsolicited sales calls, especially from numbers on the Do Not Call Registry.
• Debt Collection Calls: These are repetitive calls, specifically for debt that you do not owe, from aggressive collectors. 
• Scam Calls: Fraudulent calls impersonating government agencies, banks, or businesses.

These calls often violate the TCPA, which regulates automated calls, texts, and telemarketing practices. Knowing your rights is the first step to taking action.

Why Report Nuisance Calls?

reporting robocalls can:

• Stop the harassment and restore your peace.
• Hold companies accountable for illegal practices.
• Protect others from similar calls.
• Potentially lead to compensation for violations.

The sooner you act, the better your chances of stopping the calls and building a case if legal action is needed.

How Do You Stop Nuisance Phone Calls: Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s how to take action against nuisance calls:

1. Register On The National Do Not Call Registry

The Do Not Call Registry, managed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), allows you to opt out of most telemarketing calls. To register:

• Visit donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the number you want to protect.
• Verify your registration via email.
• Wait 31 days for the registration to take effect.

Calls to registered numbers (except from charities, political groups, or companies you’ve done business with) may violate the TCPA.

2. Document The Calls

Track and keep the details of these calls with you. You should keep:

• The date and time of every call or text that you received.
• Called ID information and the number of the caller.
• What the call was all about (e.g., debt collection, loan pitch, sales pitch)
• Recordings of the voicemails ans screenshots of the text messages.

These records will help you while reporting and taking legal action.

3. Tell Callers To Stop

If you answer a call, clearly state, “Do not call me again” or “Remove me from your list.” Note the date, time, and their response. Many companies are required to honor this request under the TCPA.

4. Block Unwanted Numbers

How do you stop nuisance phone calls? Most smartphones allow you to block numbers:

• On iPhones: Go to Phone > Recent > tap the “i” next to the number > Block this Caller.
• On Android: Open Phone > Recent Calls > select the number > Block.

Blocking doesn’t stop all calls but reduces harassment while you pursue other actions.

5. Report To The FTC And FCC

File complaints with:

• FTC: Visit donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222. Report violations of the Do Not Call Registry or robocalls.
• FCC: File at fcc.gov/complaints or call 1-888-225-5322. Report robocalls, spoofed numbers, or TCPA violations.

Provide your call logs and details to strengthen your complaint.

6. Check For TCPA Violations

The TCPA prohibits:

• Robocalls or texts without your consent.
• Calls to Do Not Call Registry numbers.
• Auto-dialed calls without permission.

If you suspect violations, consult a TCPA lawyer to evaluate your case.

7. Consider Legal Action

If you are still getting calls or it is harming you, like causing problems financially or causing you emotional distress, contact a TCPA lawyer. They can help you with:

• Filing a lawsuit for $500-$1,500 per violation.
• Joining a class-action lawsuit against people who repeatedly caused problems.
• Stopping harassment through cease-and-desist letters.

Many TCPA lawyers at The Law Offices of Jibrael S. Hindi  offer free consultations and work on contingency, so you pay only if you win.

Additional Tips To Prevent Nuisance Calls

• Use Call-Blocking Apps: There are apps like Truecaller and Nomorobo that can filter robocalls.
• Don’t Share Your Number: Do not give your number to any business or website that you do not trust and do not know well.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication: This will protect your account from scammers trying to access your private information and data. 
• Be Cautious with Scams: Do not communicate or engage with a caller who sounds suspicious. Also, do not share your personal information.

When To Seek Legal Help

While reporting to the FTC or FCC is a good start, legal action may be necessary if:

• Calls continue despite complaints.
• You’re receiving dozens of calls daily.
• You’ve suffered financial losses or stress from the calls.

A TCPA lawyer can maximize your chances of stopping the calls and securing compensation.

Choosing A TCPA Lawyer

Look for a lawyer with:

• Expertise in TCPA cases.
• A history of successful settlements.
• Clear communication and a contingency fee structure.

How To Block Calls From Your Phone?

You can block unwanted calls. All you have to do is adjust the built-in features on your phone—download apps designed to block calls from unknown numbers.

Block Individual Calls

You can block specific numbers from your mobile and no longer get messages and calls from them. There is a built-in feature on Android and iPhones that allows you to select a specific number that has already called you. Moreover, you can enter the number manually.

Block Unknown Callers

This is another built-in feature that will prevent getting calls from any person that you don’t know. This will allow calls only from the numbers that you have saved on your phone. 

Any other calls will get redirected to voicemail, and you will be able to track those from the Recent Calls list. However, before turning the feature on, make sure you have saved all your contacts, especially the necessary ones. 

Also, there is the Do Not Disturb function, which you can use to mute messages and calls. This will help you get calls and messages from only your favorites or contacts list. 

Stop Getting Nuisance Phone Calls Today

Nuisance phone calls are not just annoying, but they also violate your rights and can harm you in a serious way.

When you document calls, register on the Do Not Call list, report to the FCC and FTC, or consult a TCPA lawyer, they will work with you to stop the harassment. 

Now you have the answer to “how do you stop nuisance phone calls,” it is time to implement those and not let them ruin your life. Follow these guidelines and reclaim your peace today.

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