Stopping Robocalls in Washington
I keep getting robocalls — here's what Washington law says and what to do next.
Statute: Wash. Rev. Code § 80.36.390 et seq. (Washington Automatic Dialing and Announcing Devices Statute); Wash. Rev. Code § 19.158 (Washington Commercial Telephone Solicitation Act)
Deadline: 1460 days
Penalty: violations may result in actual damages, treble damages, civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation, and attorney fees under Washington 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 Washington differs from federal law
Washington restricts robocalls and telemarketing under state and federal law:
- Washington's Automatic Dialing and Announcing Device statute (RCW 80.36.400) restricts automated calling devices
- The Washington Consumer Protection Act (RCW 19.86) applies to telemarketing fraud and deceptive robocall practices
- The Washington Attorney General actively enforces against illegal robocallers
- Washington restricts robocalls to cell phones under state law
- Federal TCPA and TSR protections also apply — consumers can register on the National Do Not Call Registry
- Violations of the CPA can result in treble damages and attorney fees in private lawsuits
Additional steps in Washington
Register on the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov or 1-888-382-1222. Report illegal robocalls to the Washington AG at (800) 551-4636 or atg.wa.gov. File FTC complaints at reportfraud.ftc.gov. You may also bring a private lawsuit under the CPA for treble damages.
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 Washington, 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 Washington.