In today’s digital age, unwanted phone calls constantly can be very irritating. Nuisance calls are something we all receive in some form, be it receiving an unsolicited telemarketing call while you are having dinner or a robocall selling an unusual product. But which unwanted calls qualify as nuisance? Here, we seek to identify what constitutes a nuisance call, how someone can report a nuisance call, as well as outline some measures you can take to avoid being targeted by these unwelcome calls in the first place.
What Is a Nuisance Call?
In essence, a nuisance call is any unsolicited phone call one receives that arbitrarily turns out to be intrusive and disturbingly intrusive. Primarily, this call can be made by marketers, conmen, or a robotic automated system which at times can be annoying and exasperating. Some of these calls could include: is telemarketer call selling one or more service you donot want.
- Telemarketing Calls: Calls made by companies to potential clients aiming to get a “hard” sell on products or services that have not been sought after.
- Robocalls: Automated or pre-recorded voice messages that play automatically upon responding to a call.
- Scam Calls: Deceitful calls with the intent of persuading the targeted victim to part with deserved sensitive information such as assets and identity.
- Harassing Calls: Anonymously sourced persistent electricity supplied voice communications from unfamiliar phones meant to stalk, agitate, or psyche out the receiver.
Although not every unsolicited call is illegal, a lot of them break laws such as the TCPA, which concerns telemarketing and robocalls. Knowing your rights is vital to winning such disputes.
How to Identify Illegal Nuisance Calls
Not all unwanted calls are unlawful, but there are certain patterns in such calls that can be classified as boundary violations. The following are some of those motifs:
- Calls at Odd Hours: Calls during the night or first thing in the morning might be an infringement of some regulations.
- No Opt-Out Option: Legitimate telemarketers will provide an option to remove the number from the list of people to call in the future.
- Spoofed Numbers: Scammers often mask their actual phone numbers so that they appear to be local or familiar.
- Threats or Harassment: Any call that includes threats, intimidation, or abusive language is illegal.
If you’re experiencing any of these issues, it’s time to take action by reporting robocalls.
How to Report Nuisance Phone Calls
Whomever seem relentless violators will have to be responsible for their illegal phone calls after filing a report against them. Thus, if you happen to be troubled by an incessant series of undesirable phone calls, never hesitate to file a report with these steps. Follow the steps below:
- Document the Call:
Make sure to keep a captions of the date, the time, and the phone number they communicated through. In addition, try documenting the name of the caller, their company, along with the items or services they were advertising. The more information you have, the stronger your case will be. - File a Complaint with the FCC:
To prevent unauthorized illegal calls, the Federal Communications Commission, provides various solutions. The easiest being the ability to fill a report for the violation online at FCC.gov. - Report to the FTC:
Explain the issue on the Do Not Call list to FTC.gov and you will be able to block the calls from being further initiated by the violators, without complications. - Use Call-Blocking Apps:
There is an increasing number of companies that claim they can automatically eliminate these bothersome phone calls. Usually, these applications will allow you to report the violator calls as well. Popular services are Nomorobo, Hiya, and Truecaller. - Contact a Lawyer:
Seek legal assistance if as an individual you are faced with these continuous phone calls, or if under TCPA guidelines the calls are considered infringing your rights. For instance, Jibrael Law has extensive experience working with clients to sue nuisance violators and may be helpful.
How to Stop Nuisance Calls
While reporting nuisance phone calls is important, there are also proactive steps you can take to reduce their frequency:
- Register with the National Do Not Call Registry:
Adding your number to the Do Not Call Registry can significantly reduce telemarketing calls. While it won’t stop all unwanted calls, it’s a good first line of defense. - Don’t Engage with Callers:
Avoid answering calls from unknown numbers. If you do answer and realize it’s a nuisance call, hang up immediately. Engaging with the caller can lead to more calls. - Use Your Phone’s Built-In Features:
Most smartphones have call-blocking and spam-filtering features. Enable these settings to automatically screen out potential nuisance calls. - Be Cautious with Your Information:
Avoid sharing your phone number online or with companies you don’t trust. Scammers often obtain numbers from data breaches or shady websites.
When to Seek Legal Help
If nuisance calls are disrupting your life or violating your rights, it may be time to consult a lawyer. Legal professionals can help you:
- File lawsuits against violators of the TCPA.
- Seek compensation for damages caused by harassing or fraudulent calls.
- Hold companies accountable for failing to comply with telemarketing laws.
For more information on your rights and legal options, visit Jibrael Law’s guide to nuisance calls.
Final Thoughts
Nuisance calls can infiltrate one’s right to privacy and one’s private life, becoming more than just an annoyance. With self protection measures as well as reporting the calls to the relevant bodies, the loss of control over one’s privacy can be reversed.
You no longer have to deal with a mountain of calls on your own, whether using legal assistance or call-blocking tools. Jibraeel Law caters deeply to issues revolving legal needs regarding nuisance calls.
You have the power to take control of your situation, ending these calls for good while also saving yourself from potential harassment in the future.
