Stopping Robocalls in North Dakota
I keep getting robocalls — here's what North Dakota law says and what to do next.
Statute: N.D. Cent. Code § 51-28 (North Dakota Automatic Dialing Devices Act)
Deadline: 1460 days
Penalty: violations may result in actual damages, civil penalties, and attorney fees under North Dakota law
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 North Dakota differs from federal law
North Dakota provides protections against unwanted robocalls and telemarketing:
- North Dakota Telephone Solicitation law (NDCC § 51-28): Regulates telephone solicitations made to North Dakota residents. Telemarketers must identify themselves and the purpose of the call at the beginning of each call.
- Do Not Call list: North Dakota participates in the federal Do Not Call Registry. Telemarketers must honor the federal DNC list and stop calling within 31 days of registration.
- Federal TCPA protections: The federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (47 U.S.C. § 227) prohibits autodialed and prerecorded calls to cell phones without prior express consent. Violations carry penalties of $500–$1,500 per call.
- Restrictions on calls: Telemarketers may not call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. local time. Calls to numbers on the DNC list are prohibited unless the caller has a prior business relationship or written consent.
- Enforcement: The North Dakota Attorney General enforces state telemarketing laws. Consumers can also file private lawsuits under the federal TCPA.
Additional steps in North Dakota
Register with the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222. File complaints with the North Dakota Attorney General at (701) 328-3404 or the FCC 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 North Dakota, 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 North Dakota.