Stopping Robocalls in California
I keep getting robocalls — here's what California law says and what to do next.
Statute: Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17590 et seq.; Cal. Civ. Code § 1770 (California Consumers Legal Remedies Act); Cal. Pub. Util. Code § 2872
Deadline: 1460 days
Penalty: violations may result in fines up to $11,000 per violation under California's telemarketing statutes, plus actual damages, injunctive relief, and attorney fees. California maintains its own state Do Not Call list
What is stopping robocalls?
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) is the primary federal law protecting you from unwanted robocalls, spam texts, and telemarketing calls. Under the TCPA, companies generally cannot call or text you using an autodialer or prerecorded voice without your prior express consent.
You have the right to put your number on the National Do Not Call Registry, which blocks most telemarketing calls. Violators face penalties of $500 to $1,500 per illegal call or text — and you can sue them directly in federal court.
What to Do If You Keep Getting Robocalls and Spam Calls
Step 1: Register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222. Registration is free and permanent.
Step 2: When you receive an unwanted call, do not press any buttons or engage with the caller. Hang up. Pressing buttons to "opt out" may confirm your number is active and lead to more calls.
Step 3: Document every unwanted call or text. Note the date, time, phone number displayed, company name (if given), and whether a prerecorded message was used. Screenshot spam texts.
Step 4: File complaints with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and with the FCC at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov. Complaints help regulators identify and shut down major violators.
Step 5: Consider suing under the TCPA. You can recover $500 per violation ($1,500 for willful violations) in federal court. Many TCPA attorneys work on contingency. For a pattern of calls, damages add up quickly.
How California differs from federal law
California provides strong protections against unwanted robocalls and telemarketing beyond federal TCPA rules:
- Automatic Dialing-Announcing Device law (Cal. Pub. Util. Code § 2871–2876): Prohibits the use of automatic dialing-announcing devices to make unsolicited calls to California residents unless the caller has prior consent. Covers prerecorded and artificial voice messages.
- California Do Not Call list: California maintains its own Do Not Call registry in addition to the federal DNC list. Telemarketers must check both lists. Registration is free and lasts indefinitely.
- Private right of action: California consumers can sue robocallers in state court for violations of state telemarketing laws. Remedies include actual damages or $500 per violation, whichever is greater, plus injunctive relief.
- CCPA/CPRA data protections: The California Consumer Privacy Act (Cal. Civ. Code § 1798.100 et seq.) gives you the right to opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal data, which can reduce the data available to robocallers. You can also request deletion of your personal information from data brokers.
- Caller ID spoofing: California Penal Code § 653y prohibits caller ID spoofing with intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value.
Additional steps in California
Register with the California Do Not Call list at donotcall.gov and the California Public Utilities Commission. File complaints with the California Attorney General at oag.ca.gov or the FCC. For CCPA data deletion requests, contact data brokers directly or use the California Privacy Protection Agency portal.
What you should NOT do
Don't engage with suspicious callers. Don't confirm your name, press buttons, or say "yes" to unknown callers. Scammers may record your voice or use your responses to authorize fraudulent charges.
Don't give out your number unnecessarily. Every online form, loyalty program, and contest entry is a potential source of telemarketing calls. Read the fine print on consent disclosures.
Don't assume "spoofed" numbers mean you can't take action. Even if the caller ID is fake, the TCPA violation still occurred. Regulators and attorneys can trace the actual caller through subpoenas to phone carriers.
Don't pay for robocall blocking services when free options exist. Most major carriers offer free call-blocking tools (T-Mobile Scam Shield, AT&T Call Protect, Verizon Call Filter). Your phone's built-in settings can also silence unknown callers.
You shouldn't have to hire a lawyer to assert your rights.
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Generate your tcpa complaint →This page is general legal information for California, not legal advice for your specific situation. Laws change, and how a statute applies depends on facts we don't know. For advice on your matter, consult a licensed attorney in California.