Does the Telephone Consumer Protection Act apply to robotexts?

Technology creates many opportunities for improving your life on a daily basis. However, Minnesota scam artists can take advantage of technological advancements to make your life more difficult. For example, scam artists send robotexts, which generate text messages through an auto dialer. Not only are receiving unwanted texts annoying, they are also illegal under already existing robocall legislation.

Scammers use robocalls

One of the main problems with unsolicited robotexts is that scammers use them. The scammers attempt to get money out of you through claims such as:

• Unpaid bills

• Package delivery failure

• Bank account problems

• Outstanding arrest warrants

Tactics used by the scammers are designed to create fear in you, to encourage you to engage with them and provide them with money or information to steal your identity.

Robotexts are illegal

In 1991, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) was passed. The act restricted telemarking calls, prerecorded voice messages and automatic dialing systems. The TCPA specified that an organization needed express written consent before you could receive autodialed phone calls. Since the original act specified phone calls, some scammers increase their efforts to reach you through robotexts in order to get around the law. But the FCC clarified in 2016 that the TCPA includes robotexts.

The TCPA allows legal action

Not only does the TCPA make robocalls and robotexts illegal, it allows for legal action against companies that make them. The TCPA allows individuals to sue companies that violate the act, and these legal actions most often occur as part of a class action lawsuit.

Always protect yourself against scammers

With the rise of robotexts, it is more important than ever to protect yourself against scammers. Choose not to respond to suspicious texts, including those that come from unknown numbers or that contain misspellings or links.

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