TELEPHONE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT VIOLATION DEMAND LETTER
STATE OF MISSOURI
SENT VIA CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
AND FIRST-CLASS MAIL
[DATE]
[DEFENDANT COMPANY NAME]
ATTN: Legal Department / Registered Agent
[DEFENDANT ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE ZIP]
Re: TCPA Violation Demand - Unauthorized Telephone Communications
Consumer: [CONSUMER FULL NAME]
Telephone Number(s) Affected: [PHONE NUMBER(S)]
Approximate Number of Violations: [NUMBER]
Dear Sir or Madam:
This law firm represents [CONSUMER FULL NAME] ("Consumer" or "Client") in connection with your company's violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act ("TCPA"), 47 U.S.C. Section 227, its implementing regulations at 47 C.F.R. Section 64.1200, and applicable Missouri state law. Your company has placed unauthorized telephone calls and/or sent unauthorized text messages to our Client, entitling our Client to substantial statutory damages.
Please direct all future communications regarding this matter to our office and immediately cease all telephone communications with our Client.
I. MISSOURI-SPECIFIC LEGAL FRAMEWORK
A. Federal TCPA Claims
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act provides a private right of action with statutory damages of $500 per violation, increased to $1,500 for willful or knowing violations. 47 U.S.C. Section 227(b)(3). The statute of limitations for TCPA claims is four (4) years under 28 U.S.C. Section 1658(a).
B. Missouri Merchandising Practices Act
In addition to federal TCPA claims, our Client may pursue claims under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act ("MPA"), Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 407.010 et seq.
The MPA prohibits unfair practices and deception, fraud, false pretense, false promise, misrepresentation, unfair practice or the concealment, suppression, or omission of any material fact in connection with the sale or advertisement of any merchandise. Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 407.020. Unwanted commercial telemarketing calls and text messages may constitute unfair practices under Missouri law.
Private Right of Action: Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 407.025 provides consumers a private right of action for violations of the MPA.
Remedies Available:
- Actual damages. Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 407.025.1
- Punitive damages. Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 407.025.1
- Reasonable attorney's fees. Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 407.025.1
- Injunctive relief. Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 407.025.1
Statute of Limitations: Five (5) years. Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 516.120.
C. Missouri No-Call Act
Missouri has enacted the Missouri No-Call Act, Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 407.1095 et seq., which provides strong consumer protections.
Key Provisions:
- Establishes the Missouri No-Call List. Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 407.1095
- Prohibits calls to numbers on the Missouri No-Call List. Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 407.1098
- Private Right of Action: Up to $5,000 per violation. Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 407.1101
- Attorney General enforcement with penalties up to $5,000 per violation. Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 407.1101
D. Missouri Do-Not-Call Provisions
Missouri maintains its own Missouri No-Call List in addition to the National Do-Not-Call Registry. Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 407.1095.
Missouri Telephone Solicitation Requirements:
- Calls must be made between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. local time
- Caller must identify themselves and the company represented
- Caller must honor do-not-call requests
- Telemarketers must check the Missouri No-Call List
II. SUMMARY OF VIOLATIONS
Our Client's claims are based on the following categories of violations:
Autodialed and/or Prerecorded Calls/Texts to Cell Phone (47 U.S.C. Section 227(b)(1)(A)):
[ ] Calls made using an automatic telephone dialing system ("ATDS") without prior express consent
[ ] Calls using an artificial or prerecorded voice without prior express consent
[ ] Text messages sent using an ATDS without prior express consent
[ ] Calls/texts made after consent was revoked
[ ] Calls/texts to a reassigned number without proper procedures
Missouri No-Call Act Violations (Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 407.1098):
[ ] Calls to number on Missouri No-Call List
[ ] Failure to check Missouri No-Call List
Telemarketing Calls (47 U.S.C. Section 227(c); 47 C.F.R. Section 64.1200):
[ ] Telemarketing calls to number on National Do-Not-Call Registry
[ ] Telemarketing calls to number on Missouri No-Call List
[ ] Telemarketing calls to number on company-specific do-not-call list
[ ] Failure to maintain internal do-not-call list
[ ] Calls outside permitted hours (before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. local time)
[ ] Failure to provide required caller identification information
[ ] Failure to honor opt-out requests within 30 days
Prerecorded Telemarketing Calls (47 U.S.C. Section 227(b)(1)(B)):
[ ] Prerecorded telemarketing calls to residential line without prior express written consent
[ ] Prerecorded calls that fail to provide opt-out mechanism at beginning of message
[ ] Prerecorded calls that fail to provide toll-free opt-out number
Missouri MPA Violations (Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 407.020):
[ ] Unfair practices through unwanted commercial solicitations
[ ] Deception or misrepresentations in telemarketing communications
III. STATEMENT OF FACTS
A. Background Information
Consumer Information:
- Name: [CONSUMER FULL NAME]
- Telephone Number(s): [LIST ALL AFFECTED NUMBERS]
- Type of Number: [ ] Cellular [ ] Residential Landline [ ] Business [ ] VoIP
- Number Registration: [ ] National DNC Registry (Date: [DATE]) [ ] Missouri No-Call List (Date: [DATE]) [ ] Company-specific DNC request (Date: [DATE])
- Missouri Resident: Yes
Defendant Information:
- Company Name: [DEFENDANT NAME]
- Type of Business: [DESCRIPTION]
- Relationship to Consumer: [ ] No prior relationship [ ] Former customer [ ] Inquiry only [ ] Other: [DESCRIBE]
B. Consent Status
Our Client [SELECT ONE]:
[ ] Never provided any form of consent to receive calls or texts from your company
[ ] Never provided prior express written consent for telemarketing calls or texts
[ ] Provided limited consent that did not extend to the type of calls/texts received. Specifically: [DESCRIBE LIMITATION]
[ ] Revoked any prior consent on [DATE] by [DESCRIBE METHOD - verbal request, written request, opt-out text, etc.]
[ ] The telephone number was reassigned to our Client on approximately [DATE], and our Client never provided consent
C. Call/Text Log
The following is a log of unauthorized communications our Client received from your company:
| Date | Time | Type | Caller ID | Duration/Content | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [DATE] | [TIME] | [ ] Call [ ] Text [ ] Voicemail | [NUMBER DISPLAYED] | [DESCRIPTION] | [ ] Phone records [ ] Screenshot [ ] Recording [ ] Voicemail saved |
| [DATE] | [TIME] | [ ] Call [ ] Text [ ] Voicemail | [NUMBER DISPLAYED] | [DESCRIPTION] | [ ] Phone records [ ] Screenshot [ ] Recording [ ] Voicemail saved |
| [DATE] | [TIME] | [ ] Call [ ] Text [ ] Voicemail | [NUMBER DISPLAYED] | [DESCRIPTION] | [ ] Phone records [ ] Screenshot [ ] Recording [ ] Voicemail saved |
[CONTINUE AS NEEDED - OR ATTACH SEPARATE LOG]
Total Documented Violations: [NUMBER]
Estimated Additional Violations: [NUMBER]
D. Evidence of Autodialer Use
The following characteristics indicate that your company used an automatic telephone dialing system (ATDS) or prerecorded messages:
[ ] Prerecorded or artificial voice message
[ ] Pause before connection to live agent ("dead air")
[ ] Identical or substantially similar message content across multiple calls
[ ] Generic messaging not specific to our Client
[ ] High call volume inconsistent with manual dialing
[ ] Calls/texts received at unusual or automated intervals
[ ] Simultaneous calls to multiple lines
[ ] Company marketing materials or website referencing automated calling technology
[ ] Other: [DESCRIBE]
IV. LEGAL ANALYSIS
A. Automatic Telephone Dialing System (ATDS) Calls - 47 U.S.C. Section 227(b)(1)(A)
The TCPA prohibits any person from making any call using an automatic telephone dialing system or an artificial or prerecorded voice to any telephone number assigned to a cellular telephone service without the prior express consent of the called party. 47 U.S.C. Section 227(b)(1)(A)(iii).
Following the Supreme Court's decision in Facebook, Inc. v. Duguid, 141 S. Ct. 1163 (2021), an ATDS is defined as equipment that uses a random or sequential number generator either to store or produce numbers to be called.
B. Missouri No-Call Act - Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 407.1095 et seq.
The Missouri No-Call Act provides significant state-level protections. Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 407.1098 prohibits telephone solicitation calls to numbers on the Missouri No-Call List. Violations may result in damages up to $5,000 per violation. Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 407.1101.
C. Prior Express Consent Requirement
For non-telemarketing autodialed or prerecorded calls, the caller must obtain "prior express consent." 47 C.F.R. Section 64.1200(a)(1). For telemarketing autodialed or prerecorded calls, the caller must obtain "prior express written consent," which must:
- Be in writing (including electronic agreements)
- Bear the signature of the person called
- Clearly authorize the caller to deliver telemarketing messages using an ATDS or prerecorded voice
- Include the telephone number to which calls may be made
- Not be required as a condition of purchase
47 C.F.R. Section 64.1200(f)(9).
Your company lacks valid consent because [EXPLAIN WHY].
D. National and Missouri Do-Not-Call Registry Violations
Our Client's number has been registered on the National Do-Not-Call Registry since [DATE] and on the Missouri No-Call List since [DATE]. Your company had constructive notice of these registrations and was prohibited from making telemarketing calls to our Client.
E. Willful and Knowing Violations
The TCPA provides for treble damages ($1,500 per violation) where the defendant "willfully or knowingly" violated the statute. 47 U.S.C. Section 227(b)(3)(C).
Your violations were willful and knowing because:
[ ] You continued calling after our Client explicitly revoked consent
[ ] You continued calling after our Client requested placement on your do-not-call list
[ ] You have been the subject of prior TCPA complaints, lawsuits, or regulatory actions
[ ] You continued calling a number registered on the National DNC Registry and/or Missouri No-Call List
[ ] Other evidence of willfulness: [DESCRIBE]
V. DAMAGES CALCULATION
A. Federal TCPA Statutory Damages Under 47 U.S.C. Section 227(b)(3)
| Category | Number of Violations | Standard Damages ($500) | Treble Damages ($1,500) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autodialed calls to cell phone | [NUMBER] | $[AMOUNT] | $[AMOUNT] |
| Prerecorded calls to cell phone | [NUMBER] | $[AMOUNT] | $[AMOUNT] |
| Texts sent via ATDS | [NUMBER] | $[AMOUNT] | $[AMOUNT] |
| DNC Registry violations | [NUMBER] | $[AMOUNT] | $[AMOUNT] |
| Calls after consent revocation | [NUMBER] | $[AMOUNT] | $[AMOUNT] |
| TOTAL FEDERAL | [NUMBER] | $[AMOUNT] | $[AMOUNT] |
B. Missouri No-Call Act Damages (Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 407.1101)
| Category | Number of Violations | Damages (up to $5,000 each) |
|---|---|---|
| Calls to MO No-Call List number | [NUMBER] | $[AMOUNT] |
| TOTAL NO-CALL ACT | [NUMBER] | $[AMOUNT] |
C. Missouri MPA Damages
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Actual Damages | $[AMOUNT] |
| Punitive Damages | $[AMOUNT] |
| Attorney's Fees | $[AMOUNT] |
| TOTAL MPA | $[AMOUNT] |
D. Combined Damages Summary
| Source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal TCPA Damages | $[AMOUNT] |
| Missouri No-Call Act Damages | $[AMOUNT] |
| Missouri MPA Damages | $[AMOUNT] |
| Attorney's Fees | $[AMOUNT] |
| TOTAL DAMAGES | $[AMOUNT] |
VI. PRESERVATION OF EVIDENCE
You are hereby directed to preserve all documents, data, and electronically stored information related to our Client and your calling practices, including but not limited to:
- All call records, including metadata, to and from our Client's telephone number(s)
- All text message records and content
- Consent records, including any purported written consent
- Do-not-call lists and opt-out records
- Calling platform data, including dialer logs and campaign records
- Vendor agreements and records from any third-party calling services
- Training materials for calling personnel
- Policies and procedures for TCPA compliance
- Records of any prior TCPA complaints, lawsuits, or regulatory inquiries
Failure to preserve this evidence may result in sanctions, adverse inference instructions, and separate claims for spoliation under Missouri law.
VII. DEMAND FOR SETTLEMENT
To resolve this matter without the time and expense of litigation, we demand the following:
A. Monetary Compensation
Payment of $[SETTLEMENT DEMAND] within thirty (30) days of the date of this letter, representing:
- Statutory/treble damages for documented violations: $[AMOUNT]
- Missouri No-Call Act damages: $[AMOUNT]
- Missouri MPA damages: $[AMOUNT]
- Attorney's fees incurred to date: $[AMOUNT]
B. Injunctive Relief
-
Permanent removal of our Client's telephone number(s) from all calling lists, databases, and marketing campaigns
-
Placement of our Client on your company's internal do-not-call list
-
Written confirmation that the above actions have been taken
VIII. RESPONSE REQUIRED
Please respond to this demand in writing within thirty (30) days. Your response should include:
- The identity of your calling platform or service provider
- The source of our Client's telephone number
- Any consent records you believe you possess
- Your settlement offer
If we do not receive a satisfactory response within the stated timeframe, we are authorized to file suit in the appropriate Missouri state court or the United States District Court for the Eastern or Western District of Missouri without further notice.
IX. CONCLUSION
Your company's repeated violations of the TCPA and Missouri law have caused our Client significant annoyance, inconvenience, and invasion of privacy. We strongly encourage you to resolve this matter promptly.
This letter is written without prejudice to any rights or remedies of our Client, all of which are expressly reserved.
Respectfully submitted,
[LAW FIRM NAME]
By: _________________________________
[ATTORNEY NAME]
Missouri State Bar No. [NUMBER]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY, MISSOURI ZIP]
[TELEPHONE]
[EMAIL]
Attorneys for [CONSUMER FULL NAME]
ENCLOSURES:
[ ] Call/text log with dates and times
[ ] Phone records/billing statements
[ ] Screenshots of text messages
[ ] Voicemail recordings (on USB drive)
[ ] Written revocation of consent
[ ] DNC Registry confirmation
[ ] Missouri No-Call List confirmation
[ ] Authorization to represent
cc: [CONSUMER NAME]
[CLIENT FILE]
MISSOURI-SPECIFIC PRACTICE NOTES
[ ] Missouri No-Call Act: Provides up to $5,000 per violation - can be stacked with federal TCPA claims. Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 407.1101.
[ ] Missouri No-Call List: Verify whether client is registered on both National DNC Registry and Missouri No-Call List.
[ ] Missouri MPA: Provides for actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees. Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 407.025.
[ ] Long Statute of Limitations: Missouri MPA has 5-year statute of limitations.
[ ] Attorney's Fees: Available under Missouri MPA; not expressly provided under federal TCPA.
[ ] Venue: Actions may be filed in Missouri state court or in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern or Western District of Missouri.
[ ] Class Actions: TCPA claims may be brought as class actions. Consider whether class treatment is appropriate.
[ ] Small Claims: For smaller individual claims, consider Missouri Small Claims Court (up to $5,000).
[ ] AG Complaint: Consider filing a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.
This template is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Missouri attorney before use.