What is the TCPA?
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) is a U.S. law (1991) designed to limit unwanted calls and texts. In some situations, violations can lead to statutory damages of $500 per violation, and up to $1,500 per violation if a court finds the conduct was willful/knowing.
What calls or texts can be illegal under the TCPA?
It depends on the facts, but TCPA issues often involve:
Telemarketing calls/texts without the required consent
Prerecorded or artificial voice messages
Automated dialing systems (in certain contexts)
Calls to numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry (for telemarketing), especially after opt-out requests
This is general information, not legal advice.
What does “consent” mean?
Consent depends on the type of message:
Telemarketing typically requires a higher standard of consent (often “prior express written consent”).
Non-marketing / informational communications may have different consent rules.
You can generally revoke consent by telling the sender to stop (e.g., “STOP” for texts) and keeping a record.
Is there a minimum number of calls needed for a case?
There’s no legal minimum to have a potential claim. Practically, many attorneys evaluate whether a case is large enough to justify time and cost.
Our internal screening guideline: we typically look for ~18+ violations from the same company for an individual claim to be economically viable.
Even fewer contacts may still matter if the same conduct affected many people (possible class-action scenarios), but that’s highly fact-specific.
What about scam calls?
Scam calls are often harder to pursue because scammers hide their identity and may be outside U.S. jurisdiction. Even so, logs, recordings, and callback details can still be useful for reporting and pattern detection.
How does Speechbolt help?
Speechbolt helps you capture and organize the record of unwanted calls/texts in one place. Depending on your settings and device capabilities, that can include call metadata, voicemails, transcripts, and other documentation that can support follow-up actions.
What do I need to do to start a TCPA case?
If Speechbolt flags a pattern that may be worth reviewing, we may notify you and provide options (for example, exporting your records or connecting you with independent partner counsel where available). You decide what to do next.
What does it cost to pursue a TCPA case?
Speechbolt is not a law firm and does not provide legal services. If you choose to work with an attorney, fees and terms are set by that attorney (often contingency-based). You’ll review and sign any legal agreement directly with them.
How long does a TCPA case take?
Timelines vary widely—from a few months to years—depending on evidence, defendants, court schedules, and legal strategy. No timeframe can be guaranteed.
Are political calls or charity solicitations covered?
Some categories (like political calls, charities, surveys, and informational messages) may have different rules or exemptions depending on whether the outreach is telemarketing, how it’s delivered, and whether you opted out. If you’re unsure, treat it as fact-specific and consider attorney review.
Important disclaimer
Speechbolt provides tools and general information. We are not a law firm, and nothing here is legal advice. Outcomes vary, and using Speechbolt does not create an attorney-client relationship.