Unsolicited Text Messages May Be Illegal
By Amy E. Feldman
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - As if phone calls from telemarketers weren't annoying enough, now there are unsolicited text messages. But there's something you can do.
Uber, the company that provides an alternative to taxicab service, is growing exponentially, and it's need to recruit drivers has apparently led the company to bombard people with text messages to encourage them to apply to become drivers. This, according to a class action lawsuit filed by people who claimed they received a barrage of unsolicited texts from the company.
Did you think that unsolicited texts were just annoying? In fact, they can be illegal. Because, while the law may be slow to catch up with technology, it turns out that old laws can be used to prevent unwelcome practices using new technologies.
The FCC has begun interpreting the Telephone Consumer Protection Act that prevents autodialing of unwanted telephone solicitation to include text messages sent to cell phones unless the consumer has given prior consent.
Burger King, CVS, and Jiffy Lube have all faced lawsuits for their unsolicited texts.
So what can you do?
First, don't give out your cell phone number. If you have to agree to the terms of use before using a service, uncheck any boxes that says that you agree to receive the texts. And, read the terms to see how to opt out.
But, if you continue to be pestered, you can file a complaint with the FCC at FCC.gov.
You can also call or write.
You can't text them though. They don't like unsolicited text messages.
