Buying things and services · Updated Oct 2026

I keep getting robocalls and spam texts

Register your number on the free National Do Not Call Registry; it stops sales calls from legitimate companies (it can take up to 31 days). It won't stop scammers, so use your phone's and carrier's blocking tools, forward spam texts to 7726, and report illegal calls to the FTC and FCC. Federal law (the Telephone Consumer Protection Act) also lets people sue over certain illegal calls and texts.

This plan is general legal information, not legal advice. RobinClaim is not a law firm. Laws and deadlines change and have exceptions: check with the official source or a lawyer or legal aid office about your own case.

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Choose your state and answer 3 quick questions. The plan below changes as you answer: steps that don't fit your answers are hidden, and your state's deadlines appear. It all happens in your browser. Nothing is sent, and the page address holds only your answers.

Your plan

Do now

  1. Don't answer unknown numbers, don't press buttons to 'opt out', and hang up on recorded sales pitches.

    Why: Pressing buttons or talking can confirm your number is active and lead to more calls.

  2. If you answered “Yes” to “Did you give any information or money to a caller?”

    If you gave money or personal information, follow the scam steps now (call your bank, change passwords).

    Why: Speed matters in scams.

  3. If you answered “No, or not sure” to “Is your number on the Do Not Call Registry?”

    Register your phone numbers at DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register. It's free and never expires.

    Why: Legitimate telemarketers must stop calling registered numbers; it can take up to 31 days.

  4. If you answered “Spam texts” to “What kind of calls or texts?”

    Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM), then delete them. Don't click links.

    Why: Most carriers use 7726 reports to block spam.

This week

  1. If you answered “Yes, for more than 31 days” to “Is your number on the Do Not Call Registry?”

    If sales calls keep coming more than 31 days after you registered, write down the date, time, caller ID and company name of each call and report them at DoNotCall.gov.

    Why: After 31 days, most sales calls to a registered number are illegal.

  2. Turn on your phone's built-in spam filter and ask your carrier about free call-blocking tools.

    Why: Blocking tools stop many scam calls the Registry can't.

  3. Tell companies you do business with to put you on their internal do-not-call list, and note the date.

    Why: Companies must honor these requests even if you're a customer.

  4. Report illegal sales calls and scam calls to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or DoNotCall.gov. Include the number, date and what was said.

    Why: The FTC uses reports to find and sue violators.

  5. Report unwanted calls or texts to the FCC (choose 'unwanted calls'), and say if your number is being spoofed.

    Why: The FCC uses complaints for enforcement but does not resolve individual complaints.

  6. If you answered “Debt collector calls” to “What kind of calls or texts?”

    For debt collector calls, you can tell the collector in writing to stop contacting you, and complain to the CFPB if it doesn't.

    Why: Debt collection calls are covered by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, not the Do Not Call Registry.

If it's not resolved

  1. File a complaint with your state attorney general. Many states enforce telemarketing laws and some have their own do-not-call rules.

    Why: State offices can take action against repeat callers.

  2. Keep a log (date, time, number, company name, recording if legal in your state). The TCPA lets a person sue for illegal robocalls and for repeated sales calls to a number on the Registry, generally for actual losses or up to $500 per violation.

    Why: A log is the evidence you need for a complaint or a small claims case.

  3. If your own number is being spoofed, tell your carrier and change your voicemail greeting to warn callers.

    Why: You can't stop spoofing yourself, but carriers can label or block it.

Deadlines

When sales calls should stop after you register

General rule: Up to 31 days after registration (FTC; telemarketers must use a registry copy no more than 31 days old, 16 CFR 310.4(b)(3)(iv), 47 CFR 64.1200(c)(2)(i)(D))

Official source

Deadline to sue under the TCPA

General rule: The TCPA does not state its own deadline. A general federal law, 28 U.S.C. 1658(a), sets 4 years for claims under federal laws passed after Dec. 1, 1990, and the TCPA was passed on Dec. 20, 1991 (Pub. L. 102-243). Ask legal aid to confirm the deadline for your case.

Official source

Documents to gather

  • Call log (date, time, caller ID number, company name)
  • Screenshots of texts
  • Your Do Not Call registration date (check at DoNotCall.gov)
  • Any recordings or voicemails

Where to go

Costs

Registering and reporting are free. Small claims filing fees vary by state if you sue a caller.

Talk to a lawyer if

  • One company keeps calling or texting you after you told it to stop and you want to sue (many consumer lawyers take TCPA cases)
  • Calls are threatening, harassing, or tied to stalking (call 911 if you're in danger)

Free help

Free civil legal aid is available to people with low incomes. Find your local program through the Legal Services Corporation (lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/i-need-legal-help) or LawHelp.org. Your state attorney general's consumer office (link for your state below) and the court's self-help center can also explain options at no cost. Many law schools run free consumer clinics.

Guides for your state

Choose your state above for direct links to its pages.

Questions

What is the when sales calls should stop after you register?

Up to 31 days after registration (FTC; telemarketers must use a registry copy no more than 31 days old, 16 CFR 310.4(b)(3)(iv), 47 CFR 64.1200(c)(2)(i)(D))

What is the deadline to sue under the TCPA?

The TCPA does not state its own deadline. A general federal law, 28 U.S.C. 1658(a), sets 4 years for claims under federal laws passed after Dec. 1, 1990, and the TCPA was passed on Dec. 20, 1991 (Pub. L. 102-243). Ask legal aid to confirm the deadline for your case.

When should I talk to a lawyer?

One company keeps calling or texting you after you told it to stop and you want to sue (many consumer lawyers take TCPA cases); Calls are threatening, harassing, or tied to stalking (call 911 if you're in danger).

How much does it cost?

Registering and reporting are free. Small claims filing fees vary by state if you sue a caller.

Plans by state

This plan is the same in every state. Each state's RobinClaim page lists its courts, agencies and deadlines:

Sources

Plan checked Oct 2026. Independently fact-checked 2026-10-24.

This plan is general legal information, not legal advice. RobinClaim is not a law firm. Laws and deadlines change and have exceptions: check with the official source or a lawyer or legal aid office about your own case. How we research.