How Do I Cancel Spam Faxes?
Spam faxes waste paper, ink and time. They tout unrealistic travel deals, cheap stocks that are set to sky rocket in price and other worthless offers. As of 2010, these faxes are covered under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and its 2005 amendment, the Junk Fax Prevention Act, according to the Federal Communications Commission. Many unscrupulous fax spammers do not follow proper opt-out procedures. You can stop them with a little research, and you may even get some money from them in court.
Instructions
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Call the telephone number on the fax that is provided for responses to the advertisement, and tell the agent you want the faxes to stop. JunkFax.org advises against using the opt-out number on the fax. Some companies list a website with an electronic opt-out form, but it's best to ignore those, too. At best, your request is likely to be ignored. At worst, you have confirmed that they're reached a working fax number and someone is reading the transmissions. They will send more, and may sell your number to other fax spammers.
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Call the telephone number on the fax and pretend to be a customer if the agent doesn't agree to remove you from the fax list on your initial call. Gather as much information as possible, since most spam faxes don't contain much identifying information. Claim to be very interested in the offer, and ask for the company name, Web address, physical address and alternate phone numbers. You may also find identifying information online from other victims by searching phone number databases like 800notes.com.
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Send a certified letter to the company demanded that it remove you from its fax list. Explain that you are willing to take it to court if it continues sending faxes. JunkFax.org advises that the faxes might be generated by a fax broadcasting company on behalf of another firm. Let them know you want the name of the firm if the broadcaster cannot remove your number itself.
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Report the spam faxes to the FCC. The Securities and Exchange Commission explains that the FCC has jurisdiction over these faxes. It takes reports over the Internet and via phone and postal mail. The FCC will take action if it gets enough complaints about a particular fax spammer.
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File a lawsuit if you still receive junk faxes. The FCC explains that fax spammers can be sued privately. They are liable for either the actual monetary loss caused by their actions or $500 for each violation.
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Tips & Warnings
Spam faxers can bombard your fax machine if you have a preexisting business relationship with them, the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse warns. It does not have to be a direct relationship. The federal Junk Fax Prevention Act lets them contact you once you have made an inquiry to them. They can fax you indefinitely until you opt out.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit fax image by Ewe Degiampietro from Fotolia.com
