Pre-recorded messages (robocalls) are typically harassing telephone calls from debt collectors and telemarketers. They can also come from political consultants and other organizations where the recipient picks up their telephone only to hear a prerecorded message. Any calls a computer makes that autodials or “robodials” you or delivers a prerecorded message also qualify.
These calls can be extremely harassing, particularly if you receive multiple prerecorded calls every day from the same caller. Some of the worst examples of robocall harassment involve debt collectors calling family members of debtors when the family member has no responsibility to pay the debts of their relative.
Federal Protections Against Robocalls
Federal law provides strong protections for consumers against unsolicited “robocalls.” These calls provide seemingly never-ending invasions of your privacy. The relevant federal statute is the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”), found at 47 U.S.C. § 227. Our North Carolina TCPA Attorneys handle cases dealing with harassing pre-recorded calls all over the state of North Carolina
While it protects against several unlawful communications, including junk faxes and spam text messages, one of its many provisions relates to robocalls and states that “it shall be unlawful for any person within the United States to initiate any telephone call to any residential telephone line using an artificial or prerecorded voice to deliver a message without the prior express consent of the called party”. There is a similar rule against robocalls to cell phones.
For each violation of the TCPA, the caller is liable for a statutory penalty of $500.00. For instance, if you receive 10 calls from the same solicitor, you can recover $5,000.00. Importantly, if it is found that the caller knowingly violated the TCPA by making the robocalls, they can be liable for up to $1,500.00 per violation. In this same situation, that would mean that you could recover up to $15,000.00.
Representation for TCPA Violations Including Pre-Recorded Calls
Our experienced North Carolina TCPA attorneys, Edward Maginnis and Karl Gwaltney, specialize in handling telemarketer and debt collection harassment claims across the Carolinas. They are dedicated to assisting victims of illegal robocalls, spam texts, and junk faxes by providing comprehensive legal support. We offer free initial consultations to evaluate your case and discuss your options. Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe no attorneys’ fees unless we successfully secure a settlement or judgment on your behalf. If you are receiving unwanted, repetitive, or harassing robocalls, don’t hesitate to contact us for a thorough review of your claim. You can reach our office at 919-526-0450 or submit inquiries or request more information about the Telephone Consumer Protection Act through our convenient contact page.
