How to Protect Yourself: Unsolicited Facsimile Transmissions

How to Protect Yourself: Unwanted Facsimile (Fax) Transmissions

Facsimile transmissions or "fax" transmissions are being used as another medium to advertise various goods and services. The time spent in use of your fax line and the paper and ink used to print incoming materials costs you money. If you have requested advertising materials be sent to your fax number, you can expect that your fax machine and paper be used to receive the materials. However, if an unsolicited advertisement is faxed to you within the State of Florida, consider the following:

Know the law.

Section 365.1657(1), Florida Statutes provides: "It is unlawful for any person to use a machine that electronically transmits facsimiles of documents through connection with a telephone network to transmit within this state unsolicited advertising material for the sale of any real property, goods or services." Section 365.1657(1), Florida Statutes further provides that the Attorney General may file suit to stop the person from faxing persons advertisements without their permission and to impose monetary penalties for violations of the statute.

Attempt to contact the company.

If you think that someone has sent you an unsolicited fax advertisement, sometimes a telephone call is all it takes to correct the problem. Make sure you keep a record of the date, person contacted and subject matter of each telephone contact you have with the company.

File a complaint.

Should you be unable to stop the unsolicited faxes by speaking with the company, file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office online at www.myfloridalegal.com or by phone toll-free at 1-866-9-NO-SCAM.

You may also file a complaint with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which acts as the State's consumer complaint clearinghouse, at www.floridaconsumerhelp.com.