Stop Political Campaign Calls: Regain Your Peace

Political campaign calls and text messages are a common occurrence during election season. While they are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry, there are ways to reduce the number of unwanted messages you receive. With the 2024 election approaching, here are some methods to limit the clutter in your inbox.

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Report spam by forwarding messages to 7726

Political campaign calls and text messages can be extremely frustrating, especially when they clutter your inbox during election season. While campaign calls and texts are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry requirements, there are still rules they must follow under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

If you are receiving unsolicited political text messages, you can report them by forwarding the messages to 7726 ("SPAM" on most alphanumeric keypads). This free service is available to most mobile customers using UK networks and will alert your provider to investigate the number and potentially block it. It is important to never reply to spam messages or click on any links within them. Instead, forward them to 7726 to help identify new types of smishing and block spam messages for all users.

In addition to reporting spam, you can also opt out of receiving unwanted political text messages by replying "STOP" or "Unsubscribe." Legitimate text campaign operators should remove you from their list if you do so. You can also change your phone settings to filter out all unknown senders, although this may cause you to miss important text reminders.

If you believe you have received a political robocall or text that does not comply with the FCC's rules, you can file an informal complaint with the FCC at fcc.gov/complaints. You can also contact your cellular provider directly if you have any questions about the reporting process.

File an informal complaint with the FCC

If you're tired of receiving endless political campaign calls and texts, you can file an informal complaint with the FCC. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:

Understanding the Process

Before diving into the process, it's important to know that political campaign calls and texts are generally exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry requirements. However, this doesn't mean you're powerless against them. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) outlines specific rules that campaigns must follow. For instance, robocalls and robotexts to mobile phones typically require your prior express consent. On the other hand, political robocalls to landlines are allowed without your consent, but they are limited to no more than three calls within any consecutive 30-day period.

Knowing Your Rights

You have the right to revoke your consent for any calls or texts at any time and in any reasonable manner. This can be as simple as replying "STOP" to a text or verbally requesting to not be called again on a voice call. If you're receiving unsolicited text messages, you can report them by forwarding the messages to 7726 or "SPAM." Campaigns are required to honour your opt-out requests.

Filing an Informal Complaint

Now, for the core of the matter—filing an informal complaint with the FCC. You can do this online at fcc.gov/complaints, which is the quickest and most effective method. The FCC's website will guide you through a series of complaint questions, so be prepared to provide a detailed description of your issue and your contact information. If you prefer, you can also file your complaint over the phone by calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) or via an ASL Video Call at 1-844-432-2275.

Mailing Your Complaint

If you'd rather put your complaint in writing, you can send it by mail to the following address:

> Federal Communications Commission

> Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau

> 45 L Street NE

> Washington, DC 20554

Remember to include your name, address, contact information, and as many details about your complaint as possible. The more details you provide, the better the FCC can understand and address your specific concerns.

Tracking Your Complaint

Once you've filed your complaint, the FCC will provide you with a tracking number, and you'll receive periodic emails updating you on the status of your complaint. If more information is needed, an FCC consumer representative may reach out to you. When all the required information is gathered, the FCC will either provide you with relevant educational material or forward your complaint to the service provider. The provider is then required to respond in writing within 30 days.

Remember, while the FCC may not be able to resolve every individual complaint, they can provide additional resources and guide you through next steps if needed.

Change phone settings to filter unknown senders

If you're tired of receiving endless political campaign calls and texts, changing your phone settings to filter out unknown senders is an option. This method can be effective in reducing the clutter in your text inbox. However, it's important to note that you might miss important text reminders, such as those for doctor's appointments or restaurant reservations, from senders not saved in your contacts.

For iPhone users, go to the Settings app, tap Messages, scroll down, and select Filter Unknown Senders. Turning on this setting will move messages from people who aren't in your contacts to a separate list. You can also enable the option to not allow notifications for unknown senders by going to Settings > Notifications > Customize Notifications > Unknown Senders.

If you're using an Android phone, open the Messages app, access Settings, and select Spam protection. Then, enable spam protection. The specific steps to enable spam protection may vary depending on your Android device.

Additionally, you can use third-party apps like Bouncer, which allows you to filter messages by specific words or phrases commonly used in political campaign texts, such as "donate." However, it's still a good idea to check the filtered messages folder occasionally to ensure you haven't missed any important messages.

While changing your phone settings to filter unknown senders can be helpful, it's worth noting that it may not completely stop all political campaign calls and texts. Scammers often exploit the exemption of political campaigns from the "Do Not Call" list to collect and sell active phone numbers. Therefore, it's important to exercise caution when responding to unknown senders.

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Ask to be removed from the campaign's contact list

If you're tired of receiving endless political campaign calls and want some peace and quiet, you're not alone. Here's what to do: ask to be removed from their contact list! It's your right to revoke consent and opt-out. Here are some detailed steps to make it happen:

First, let's identify the type of communication. Are you receiving automated calls or manually dialled ones? For text messages, are they sent by an autodialer or manually? This distinction is crucial because specific rules govern each type of communication. Political campaigns are generally allowed to autodial landline phones without your prior consent, but they must obtain your consent for autodialed or prerecorded calls/texts to mobile phones. So, if you're getting unwanted calls or texts on your cell phone, that's a clear violation of your privacy, and you have every right to put a stop to it.

Now, let's discuss the steps to remove yourself from their contact list:

• Reply with "STOP": For text messages, simply replying with the word "STOP" is often enough. Campaigns are supposed to honor these opt-out requests. If they continue messaging you, they are violating FCC rules.
• Report spam: If you're receiving unsolicited text messages, you can report them as spam. Forward the messages to 7726 (which spells out "SPAM" on your phone keypad). Your phone carrier will investigate and block the sender if they are a known spammer.
• File a complaint: If the unwanted calls or texts continue, you can take it a step further and file an informal complaint with the FCC. Visit fcc.gov/complaints to submit your complaint. Include as much detail as possible, such as the caller's or sender's information, the date and time of the communication, and the content of the message.
• Call blocking: Contact your phone company to discuss call blocking options. They often have tools to stop unwanted calls from reaching your phone. Additionally, they can proactively block calls connected to suspicious calling patterns.
• Filter unknown numbers: To reduce the clutter in your inbox, you can change your phone settings to filter out unknown senders. On iPhones, you may find this option under "Spam Protection." On Android phones, it's usually in the settings. However, be aware that using this feature might cause you to miss important messages from senders you actually want to hear from.
• Be cautious: If you suspect that the calls or texts are from scammers, be very cautious about responding. Replying can alert them that your number is active, making you a target for further scams. Instead, block and report the number to your carrier.

Remember, while it can be frustrating to receive endless political campaign calls and texts, there are ways to reduce the noise. Stand up for your right to privacy and peace of mind by following the steps outlined above.

Register your number with the Do Not Call list

Registering your number with the Do Not Call list is a great way to reduce the number of unwanted political campaign calls and texts you receive. While political campaigns are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry requirements, registering your number can still help to reduce the number of unwanted calls and texts you receive.

Firstly, you can register your number online at the National Do Not Call Registry website. This will add your number to the list, which is used by legitimate telemarketers to avoid calling people who have opted out of receiving promotional calls. The registry is managed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and is a useful first step in reducing unwanted calls.

In addition to registering your number with the National Do Not Call Registry, you can also register it with individual political campaigns. When you receive a call or text from a political campaign, you can usually reply with the word "STOP" or "UNSUBSCRIBE" to opt out of further communications. This will inform the campaign that you no longer wish to receive their calls or texts, and they should remove your number from their list.

It is important to note that political campaigns are required to obtain your prior express consent before sending you text messages using an autodialer. However, if the messages are sent manually, they can be sent without your prior consent. If you are receiving text messages that you did not sign up for, you can report them as spam by forwarding them to 7726. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) if you believe that a political campaign is violating the rules.

Another way to reduce unwanted political campaign calls is to change your phone settings to filter out unknown senders. This can be done on both iPhone and Android devices, and will help to reduce the number of unwanted calls and texts you receive. However, it is important to note that this may also cause you to miss important text messages, such as reminders for doctor's appointments or restaurant reservations.

Frequently asked questions