Stopping Robocalls in Pennsylvania
I keep getting robocalls — here's what Pennsylvania law says and what to do next.
Statute: 73 Pa. Stat. § 2245.1 et seq. (Pennsylvania Telemarketer Registration Act)
Deadline: 1460 days
Penalty: violations may result in actual damages, civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation ($3,000 for elderly victims), and attorney fees under Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania differs from federal law
Pennsylvania has state telemarketing registration requirements in addition to federal protections:
- PA Telemarketer Registration Act (73 P.S. § 2241 et seq.): Requires telemarketers to register with the PA Attorney General before making calls to Pennsylvania residents. Telemarketers must disclose their identity and the purpose of the call at the beginning of each call.
- State Do Not Call list: Pennsylvania maintains its own Do Not Call list through the Attorney General's office, supplementing the federal Do Not Call Registry. Telemarketers must check both lists before calling.
- AG enforcement: The PA Attorney General actively prosecutes illegal telemarketing and robocall operations. Violations can result in civil penalties up to $1,000 per call.
- Criminal penalties: Pennsylvania imposes criminal penalties for illegal telemarketing activities, including deceptive telemarketing practices under 18 Pa.C.S. § 4117 (relating to deceptive or fraudulent business practices).
Additional steps in Pennsylvania
Register on the PA Do Not Call list at attorneygeneral.gov and the federal Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov. File complaints with the PA Attorney General at (800) 441-2555. Report robocalls to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
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 Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania.