How to Stop Spam Calls in Florida
Florida residents are no strangers to spam calls and texts. In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received 138,980 Do Not Call complaints from Florida residents, ranking the state #14 in the country in complaints per 100,000 citizens. While this is a decrease from the previous year, this downward trend has flattened out, which means more work still needs to be done. While many spam calls are only nuisances, some can be dangerous if the caller’s only goal is to trick recipients into giving out personal and financial information.
Floridians can help stop this plague by reporting spam calls and texts to state and federal authorities. This guide was created to equip them with all the details they need to do that. It also outlines how to block this spam and protect their personal information. Working together, we can continue to reduce these nuisances even further.
How to Block and Report Spam Calls and Texts at a State Level
As a Florida resident, you have certain rights when it comes to protecting yourself from unwanted calls and texts. Florida has enacted the following regulations to safeguard consumers from these intrusive communications:
- Florida Statute 501.059: Prohibits businesses from making unsolicited sales calls and sending unsolicited text messages to consumers without prior written consent. It also gives consumers the right to revoke their consent at any time.
- Florida Statute 501.616: Prohibits telemarketers from blocking their name or number on caller ID, limits the amount of solicitation calls in a 24-hour period to three, and requires that calls must be made between 8 AM and 9 PM.
- Florida Statute 501.613: Requires telemarketers to state their name, the company they work for, and the goods or services being sold within 30 seconds of the start of the call.
Florida does have its own Do Not Call list, and you can add your number to it here, and it will remain there until you have it removed. You can use this form to report spam calls if your phone number is already on the list. You can also file a complaint with the Florida Division of Consumer Services using this online form or by calling 1-800-435-7352.
If you think you’ve been scammed, you can report the incident to the Florida Attorney General by calling 1-866-9-NO-SCAM or filing a complaint here.
How to Block and Report Spam Calls and Texts at a National Level
You can also fight unwanted calls at the national level. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the agency responsible for governing telemarketing practices in the United States. The FCC has implemented rules and regulations aimed at reducing unwanted calls and texts, including:
Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA): Requires consent from consumers before they are robocalled, an automated opt-out process, and no longer allows telemarketers to use an established business relationship to avoid getting consent.
Truth in Caller ID Act (TICIDA): Prohibits callers from spoofing their caller ID with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or steal.
The National Do Not Call Registry is the most well-known national program for reducing unwanted calls. It allows consumers to register their phone numbers and opt out of telemarketing calls from most companies. It’s important to note, however, that the Do Not Call Registry does not apply to all types of calls, including:
- Political calls
- Calls from non-profits or charities
- Calls from legitimate survey organizations
- Calls from debt collectors
Calls from companies you do business with or have sought to do business with within the last 18 months
Registering your phone number with the Do Not Call Registry is free. You can do this at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236). If you register at the website, you will be sent an email with a link you will need to click within 72 hours to complete registration. Telemarketers covered by the registry must stop calling you within thirty days after you register. Your phone number will remain on the registry permanently. Removing a number requires calling 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to remove, and your number will be removed by the next day.
If you get a call that is clearly a scam, the FCC recommends filing a complaint with them and providing them with the phone numbers and other details you have about the calls. In addition to the Do Not Call Registry and reporting the calls to the FCC, the FCC provides several resources for consumers looking to block and report spam calls and texts.
Everyday Tips to Reduce Spam Calls and Texts
Spam calls and texts are not only annoying, but they can also be a security risk. To help reduce the number of unwanted calls and texts you receive, we recommend taking the following steps:
Be very careful where and with whom you share your cell phone number: Be cautious when providing your phone number online or in person, especially when dealing with unfamiliar companies or individuals. Remember that some companies may share or sell your phone number to third-party marketers.
Do not respond to texts from questionable sources: If you receive a text from an unknown sender or a number you don’t recognize, don’t respond. This could confirm that your number is active to the spammer, leading to more unwanted messages.
Do not click on any links in text spam: Many spam messages contain links that could lead to malicious websites or install malware on your phone. If you’re not sure whether a link is safe, don’t click on it.
Do not give out personal information via call or text if you do not know the recipient: Scammers may pose as legitimate companies or organizations to trick you into giving them personal information. Be suspicious of unsolicited calls or texts asking for sensitive information.
Check with your mobile service provider about options to block text messages from specific numbers: Many service providers offer features to block or filter incoming text messages from certain numbers or keywords. This can be an effective way to reduce the number of unwanted messages you receive.
Install a call-blocking app on your phone: Many Android and iOS apps will help you block spam calls and texts. A lot offer basic features for free and premium call-blocking features with a subscription.
Consider getting a virtual phone number: You can use a secondary number for online forms, social media, or anywhere spammers could find it and prevent spam on your primary phone number
Spam calls and texts can pose a significant threat to your privacy and security. While it may be impossible to stop spam calls completely, we’ve covered several steps you can take to minimize the amount of these calls. Working together can create a safer and more secure digital environment for all Floridians.