You said stop.
Know the next move.
A practical evidence, opt-out and official-resource guide for unwanted machine-industry calls, texts and commercial email.
You asked it to stop. Build a clean record and use the right channel.
Repeated machine-sale calls, texts and emails can be frustrating, but different rules apply to calls, robotexts, commercial email, business numbers, existing relationships and scams. Start with the evidence; do not click, threaten or send sensitive information.
Keep a compact contact log.
- Date, time, number, short code, email address and displayed sender
- Screenshot or original message, subject, body, links and attachment names
- What product or machine was mentioned and how the sender identified itself
- Your prior consent, inquiry, transaction or relationship, if any
- Exact opt-out wording, channel and date used
- Messages received after the opt-out and any carrier or platform report number
Keep sensitive data out of a resource request.
- Social Security or tax identification numbers
- Bank, card or payment information
- Passwords, one-time codes or account recovery answers
- Unredacted contracts containing confidential terms
- Customer drawings, programs or controlled technical data
- Threats, public accusations or unsupported legal conclusions
Recognizable sender and suspicious message are not the same problem.
Use the original account or official website—not contact information inside a suspicious message—to verify identity. Keep preservation separate from engagement.
Recognized marketing text or robocall
Use the sender's stated opt-out or another clear, reasonable revocation method. FCC rules for covered robocalls and robotexts recognize words such as STOP, QUIT, END, REVOKE, OPT OUT, CANCEL and UNSUBSCRIBE, while coverage and exemptions remain fact-specific.
Unexpected or suspicious text
Do not click a link or provide information. Use the phone's report-junk feature or forward the message to 7726 (SPAM), block or filter it, and report suspected fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Repeated sales calls
The National Do Not Call Registry applies to sales calls to personal phone numbers, not every business-to-business call. Log the calling number and time. Report unwanted sales calls at DoNotCall.gov; report scams or financial loss through ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Commercial email that will not stop
Use a legitimate unsubscribe mechanism when the message and destination are trustworthy. FTC CAN-SPAM guidance says covered commercial email must provide an opt-out and honor it within 10 business days; transactional or relationship messages are treated differently.
Unwanted robocall or robotext complaint
Use the FCC unwanted calls and texts complaint path. The FCC explains that it does not resolve each individual complaint, but reports inform enforcement and policy.
Pattern tied to one business
Preserve the full timeline, verify the exact legal entity, and consider the applicable carrier, platform, state consumer-protection office and qualified attorney. An unwanted contact alone does not establish who sent it or what law applies.
Consent rules are specific—not universal.
The TCPA and FCC rules restrict certain calls and texts using covered technology or prerecorded or artificial voice, and many telemarketing robocalls or robotexts require prior express written consent. Other messages may be permitted or exempt. Consent can be revoked for covered communications through reasonable means, but legal analysis depends on the message, technology, number, relationship and jurisdiction.
Opt-out is not the same as universal opt-in.
CAN-SPAM applies to commercial email, including business-to-business commercial messages. FTC guidance requires accurate routing and subject information, identification, a valid physical postal address and a working opt-out; the opt-out must remain available for at least 30 days and covered requests generally must be honored within 10 business days. CAN-SPAM generally does not create a universal advance-consent rule for email, and transactional or relationship messages are treated differently.
Go directly to the agency or carrier.
MBB does not file a complaint for you, contact the sender, determine liability or provide legal representation. These direct sources explain current federal processes; state law may add rights and remedies. Federal communications rules can change; this page was reviewed 2026-09-28 and the current eCFR text controls over older summaries.
- Current federal call and text rule: 47 CFR 64.1200 ↗
- FTC CAN-SPAM compliance guide ↗
- FTC National Do Not Call FAQ ↗
- FTC spam text and email actions ↗
- FCC unwanted calls and texts complaint guide ↗
- FCC consent-revocation order ↗
- FCC current limited revocation waiver ↗
- FTC ReportFraud ↗
- USA.gov state consumer-protection offices ↗
Know the lane before taking action.
This page provides official resource routing and recordkeeping guidance. It is not legal advice, a legal conclusion or representation.
Is every sales text sent without permission illegal?
No. Federal and state rules depend on the technology, content, recipient, relationship, consent and exemptions. Many telemarketing robocalls and robotexts are restricted, but the facts and law must be evaluated.
Does commercial email require advance opt-in under CAN-SPAM?
CAN-SPAM generally regulates commercial email content and opt-out rather than requiring universal advance opt-in. Covered opt-out requests generally must be honored within 10 business days; transactional or relationship messages are treated differently.
Should I reply STOP to every unexpected text?
Use a recognized opt-out for a sender and message you reasonably believe are legitimate. For a suspicious or scam text, avoid links and replies; use the phone's report-junk feature or forward it to 7726, then report as appropriate.
Will an FCC complaint resolve my individual dispute?
The FCC says it does not resolve individual unwanted-call or text complaints, but complaint data supports policy and potential enforcement. Preserve your evidence and use the complaint path that fits the issue.
Send a redacted summary—not sensitive data.
Tell MBB whether the issue is a call, text or email; whether the sender is recognized; when you opted out; and which state you are in. We will point you toward relevant public resources. We do not contact the sender or provide legal advice.