ANNOYING PHONE CALLS FAQs

What organizations manage Do Not Call Lists?

The Federal Trade Commission oversees and imposes the National Do Not Call Registry. The Public Utility Commission manages the Texas “No Call Lists”.

What’s the difference between the Federal Communications Commission’s National Do Not Call Registry and the Texas “No Call Lists”?

The Texas “No Call Lists” are exclusively for the residential, wireless, and business phone numbers of Texas denizens and business owners. The National Do Not Call Registry is a national list for residential and wireless numbers but is for everybody.

Does the law apply to robocalls or auto dialers?

Yes. Such laws were specifically designed to cover robocalls and other automated communications.

How does the law affect robocalls or calls made by auto dialers?

The No Call Lists cover those annoying robocalls specifically. Anyone signed up to this list is forbidden from being contacted by robocalls, by penalty of law.

Are telemarketers or collectors allowed to block their names and number from Caller ID?

No. It’s illegal for them to block their numbers from Caller ID systems.

What happens if they don’t observe the Texas Telemarketing Disclosure and Privacy Act?

The law allows the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to look into possible violations and to review administrative and civil penalties against violators.

How can I get pesky collectors to stop harassing me?

Fortunately, you are protected from such harassing communications by the law. Compose a good letter asking that he or she cease communications with you. To leave no doubt whatsoever that they receive the letter send it via certified mail.

Remember, even though they no longer communicate with you, you still have to honor the debt.

How do I know what debt collector actions and behaviors are illegal?

It is a violation of the Act for any creditor to:

• Intimidate you with violence;

• Use inappropriate language;

• Try to scare you by telling you you’re going to prison;

• Overwhelm you with anonymous phone calls (illegal) or calling you without surcease; and

• Call you collect and decline to use real name

May a debt collector contact me where I work?

Yes, but you can actually request not to be contacted at work. Also, if the debt collector is aware that your employer does not approve of such communications, the law has stiff penalties in place if they proceed to do so.

What laws protect me against debt collectors’ harassment?

The Texas Debt Collection Act. This piece of legislation controls the behaviors of debt collectors in Texas. It also protects you against illegal collection ploys like constant calling and other harassment.