Robocalls are those calls nearly no one wants to deal with. But guess what? If you deal with them the right way, you might get some cash. There’s a law called the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) that can help. This article will talk about this law, the types of robocalls, and how you might make money from them reaching out. In fact, people are able to get payouts worth at least hundreds per call! So, it’s important not to overlook this money opportunity that may have been under your nose this whole time. 

At Least $500 is Available Per Robocall

A call on your phone may seem harmless at first, but some unwanted robocalls can trick people and cost them money. However, here’s a twist: sometimes those annoying calls can make you money instead. Thanks to a rule called the TCPA, you can ask for money if you get these types of calls or texts. If a company knowingly breaks the robocall rules (called “willful violations”), and you prove it, you could earn up to $1,500 for each call. This is because they did it on purpose. But, if a company breaks the rules by accident (called “non-willful violations”), you can still get $500 for each of those calls. Even if it’s less money than the purposeful breaks, with many calls, it could become a big amount over time!

How to Get Your Money from These Calls?

Handling the process of getting your money from these calls may seem over your head. However, that’s not necessarily the case. Instead, you can break the process down into a few steps:

• Get on the ‘Do Not Call’ List
• Send Out a Letter Demanding Payment
• Settle on an Amount

Get on the ‘Do Not Call’ List

There’s a list called the “Do Not Call” registry. Make sure your number is on it! This tells companies you don’t want those calls and can help you earn money if they call anyway. You can go online and see the date that you were added to the list through the official government portal.

Send Out a Letter Demanding Payment

If you get a robocall, write a letter to the company that called you. It might be hard to find out who they are, but try. Sometimes you can ask if you get a person on the phone, other times, it’s not so straightforward. In your letter, make sure to list out:

• Date of the call
• Time they called
• Who called (from caller ID)
• What the call or message was about

This letter will tell them about their mistake and show them you’re serious. If they are in violation of the law, they owe you money so make sure to lay everything out clearly and concisely!

Settle on an Amount

You will want to try to agree on an amount with the company. If the company doesn’t pay you, think about getting a lawyer. You might not need to go to court, but it’s an option. Some companies might offer you less money. Decide if you want to accept their offer or ask for more. If everything works out, they’ll send you money for the calls. 

The Tactics Used by Robocallers

Robocallers use a range of methods to try to trick you into answering their calls or giving them your personal information. Some common types of scams that people can come across include:

• Fake Local Calls
• Health Insurance Calls
• “Google” Business Calls
• Fake IRS Calls

Fake Local Calls

Some robocalls pretend to be local numbers, maybe even someone you might know. It tricks you into thinking someone from your area is calling when they aren’t. This trick is pretty common.

Health Insurance Calls

These calls act like they can help you with your health insurance. They might offer discounts or say you’re missing out. But really, they just want your personal info.

“Google” Business Calls

They scare small businesses by saying their Google listing will go away. Then, they try to sell unnecessary services to “fix” the problem. It’s a trick that often works.

Fake IRS Calls

This is a big scam. Callers pretend to be from the IRS and tell you to pay a fake tax bill. They might even use fake titles or badge numbers to sound real.

Common Questions People Have About Getting Money from Robocalls

What’s the $1,500 rule with robocalls?

The TCPA lets people sue companies that bother them with unwanted robocalls or texts. If the company did wrong, you could get $500 to $1,500 for each bad call or text. The amount for $1,500 is specifically for companies that did a wrongful violation. 

What’s the biggest fine someone got for robocalls?

A group got a huge fine of $300 million from the FCC because they tricked people with fake car warranties using robocalls. It’s the biggest case the FCC has seen. This group made more than 5 billion of these calls in just three months in 2021, but they began doing it in 2018.

Are Robocalls Illegal?

Misleading and scamming through unsolicited calls is definitely unlawful. But not all robocalling is off the table. For example, political surveys or charities may use it legally in some instances. It just depends on the call itself! 

Conclusion

In simple terms, robocalls are those annoying unwanted calls that come throughout the day. But here’s a surprise: with the right steps, these calls might actually earn you money! The law has some rules in place, and if these robocallers break them, you could get paid. This article has covered how this law works, how you can benefit, and the sneaky ways these robocallers try to trick people. Always remember, while some calls might be okay, many are not. So, next time your phone rings from an unknown number, think twice – it could be your chance to turn those interruptions into cash!