Stopping Robocalls in Montana
I keep getting robocalls — here's what Montana law says and what to do next.
Statute: Mont. Code § 30-14-1401 et seq. (Montana Telemarketing Fraud Prevention Act)
Deadline: 1460 days
Penalty: violations may result in actual damages, civil penalties, and attorney fees under Montana's Telemarketing Fraud Prevention 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 Montana differs from federal law
Montana relies primarily on federal robocall protections with additional state consumer protection tools:
- Federal TCPA applies: The federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (47 U.S.C. § 227) governs robocalls and autodialed calls in Montana. Violations can result in $500-$1,500 per call in statutory damages.
- Montana No-Call List: Montana does not maintain a separate state no-call list. Montana residents are protected by the National Do Not Call Registry maintained by the FTC.
- Montana Consumer Protection Act (MCA § 30-14-103): Fraudulent telemarketing and robocall scams may violate Montana's broad consumer protection statute, which prohibits unfair or deceptive practices in trade and commerce.
- Montana AG enforcement: The Montana Attorney General actively pursues telemarketing fraud under state consumer protection law. The AG's Office of Consumer Protection handles complaints.
- No separate state robocall statute: Montana has not enacted a standalone state robocall law with additional penalties beyond the federal TCPA.
Additional steps in Montana
Register for the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222. Report unwanted robocalls to the Montana Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection at (406) 444-4500. File FCC complaints at fcc.gov/consumers/guides/stop-unwanted-robocalls-and-texts.
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 Montana, 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 Montana.