Spam fax is the practice of sending unsolicited faxes to individuals or companies. In the US, this practice is strictly forbidden by the 47USC227 federal legislation. If you receive spam faxes, you have the right to sue the sender in Small Claims Court for $500 per copy.
What is a Spam Fax?
A spam fax is an unwanted fax message sent to an individual or an organization, which usually contains advertisements or promotional content. Such faxes are commonly sent to large recipients’ lists automatically by using special software.
Are Spam Faxes Illegal?
Yes, sending unsolicited faxes is illegal in the United States, according to the 47USC227 federal legislation. The law forbids the sending of any unsolicited advertisements to a facsimile machine unless there is an established business relationship between both parties.
What to Do if You Receive a Spam Fax?
If you receive a spam fax, you should keep it and collect evidence such as the fax number, the date and time of receipt, and the content of the fax. Then, file a complaint to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or sue the sender in Small Claims Court for $500 per copy of the fax received.
How to Prevent Spam Faxes?
To prevent spam faxes, you can register your fax number with the Federal Trade Commission’s national Do Not Call registry. You can also put a note on your fax cover page advising that you do not accept unsolicited faxes.
Bottom Line
Spam faxes are illegal in the US, and you have the right to take legal action against the sender if you receive one. Keep the fax and collect evidence, then file a complaint or sue the sender. As a precaution, register your fax number on the national Do Not Call registry and mention that you do not accept unsolicited faxes on your cover page.
FAQs
Can I get compensated for receiving spam faxes?
Yes, you can sue the sender in Small Claims Court for $500 per copy of the spam fax received.
Is my fax number protected from receiving spam faxes?
No, your fax number is vulnerable to spam faxes, especially if your number is public or widely available. Register your number on the national Do Not Call registry and mention on your cover page that you do not accept unsolicited faxes to reduce the spam messages you receive.
