Stopping Robocalls in Missouri
I keep getting robocalls — here's what Missouri law says and what to do next.
Statute: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 407.1095 et seq. (Missouri No-Call Act)
Deadline: 1460 days
Penalty: violations may result in actual damages, civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation, and attorney fees under Missouri's No-Call Act
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 Missouri differs from federal law
Missouri residents are protected from unwanted robocalls under federal law and Missouri's No-Call Law:
- The federal TCPA prohibits autodialed calls and prerecorded messages to cell phones without prior express written consent
- Missouri has its own No-Call Law (RSMo § 407.1098 et seq.) — registration on the Missouri No-Call List is free and does not expire
- Telemarketers must check the Missouri No-Call List and the federal Do Not Call Registry before calling
- Violations of the Missouri No-Call Law can result in civil penalties of $5,000 per violation, enforceable by the Missouri AG
- TCPA violations allow private lawsuits for $500–$1,500 per call
- The Missouri AG actively enforces the No-Call Law
Additional steps in Missouri
Register on the Missouri No-Call List at ago.mo.gov/consumer-complaints/no-call or call (866) 662-2551. Also register with the federal Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov. Report violations to the Missouri AG at (800) 392-8222 and the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.
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 Missouri, 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 Missouri.