We’ve all got them; unwanted calls from telemarketers
Are you hounded by telemarketers? The next time you receive a call from a salesman, rather than ignoring it, simply pick up the phone, determine who the caller is and ask them to stop calling. After that, maintain a record of that call as well of any more calls from the same company that may happen.
By telling sales companies that they do not have permission to call, you may be eligible to receive up to $1,500 per call if they continue to harass you.
A lawsuit filed against State Farm shows that victims of unwanted calls may be eligible to receive sizable payments, although they owed money to the company that is making the pestering calls. In the case, a federal court ruled that State Farm broke the law when it continued to make debt collection calls after the plaintiff specifically asked the company to stop calling.
The lawsuit involved a woman who provided State Farm with her housemate’s number as an emergency contact. When the woman fell behind on her payments, the company harassed her and her housemate with hundreds of unwanted debt collection calls.
Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, a federal law designed to protect consumers from unwanted calls and text messages, it is illegal for any sales company, including debt collection agencies, to use automated systems, artificial callers, and prerecorded messages to call or text you unless you have given the company express permission to do so. You can revoke your authorization to receive calls at any time, and the company must, by law, stop calling.
If you have received unwanted calls to your cell phone, you may be eligible to collect up to $1,500 per unwanted call. Call us now at 805.619.5131 for a free consultation. Our attorney will be happy to evaluate and help enforce your legal rights.