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How to Get Paid for a Spam Text from a Crypto Exchange

Receiving a spam text from a crypto exchange is not just an annoyance, it could be a violation of federal law that entitles you to compensation. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) is a powerful statute that protects consumers from unwanted marketing calls and texts. Under the TCPA, you could be owed $500 for every single illegal text message you receive. If a court finds the sender knowingly and willfully violated the law, that amount can triple to $1,500 per violation. The fast-paced, competitive world of cryptocurrency has led many exchanges and platforms to use aggressive, and often illegal, marketing tactics. These unsolicited crypto messages are frequently sent using automated technology without your permission, which is the exact behavior the TCPA was designed to stop.

What Does the Law Say About Crypto Spam Texts?

The primary law governing these messages is the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, or TCPA. This federal law places strict limits on how businesses can contact consumers via phone and text. For marketing messages sent to a wireless number, the rules are very clear. A company, including a crypto exchange, must obtain your "prior express written consent" before sending you automated promotional texts. This consent must be a clear and conspicuous agreement, specifically authorizing them to send you marketing messages at the number you provided. Simply giving them your phone number to open an account is not enough.

This consent requirement is a high bar for companies to clear. The agreement must state that you are not required to consent as a condition of purchasing any goods or services. Many crypto marketing texts are sent using an autodialer, which is technology that can store or produce telephone numbers to be called, using a random or sequential number generator. The unsolicited text message law makes it clear that using this technology for marketing without your explicit permission is illegal.

When Does a Crypto Exchange Text Violate the TCPA?

A text from a crypto exchange becomes a potential TCPA violation under a few common circumstances. The most frequent violation is sending a marketing text without having your prior express written consent. If you have never done business with the exchange or did not check a specific box agreeing to receive promotional texts, any automated marketing message from them is likely illegal. These messages often advertise a new coin listing, a deposit bonus, or a special trading opportunity.

Another clear violation occurs when a company continues to text you after you have revoked consent. You have the right to stop these messages at any time. The most common way to do this is by replying "STOP" to the message. Businesses are legally required to honor these requests within a reasonable timeframe, which is generally considered to be no more than 10 business days. If you replied STOP and the crypto exchange sent you even one more marketing text after that period, they have violated the TCPA. These subsequent texts are often considered willful violations, which can significantly increase the potential compensation.

How Much Money Can You Get for Unwanted Crypto Texts?

The TCPA sets specific statutory damages for violations, which makes it a powerful tool for consumers. For each text message that violates the law, you may be entitled to recover $500. This amount applies to every single text, not just the first one. So, if a crypto exchange sent you five illegal texts, you could be looking at $2,500 in potential damages.

Furthermore, if you can prove that the crypto exchange sent the texts knowingly or willfully, the damages can be tripled to $1,500 per violation. A willful violation can occur if the company knew it did not have your consent but texted you anyway, or if it continued sending messages after you told them to stop. For example, a text sent after a STOP request is strong evidence of a willful violation. This article is for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship. To learn more about how damages are calculated, you can read our guide on Spam Text Settlement Amount: How Much Can You Get Per Text?.

Real Examples of Illegal Crypto Exchange Spam

Illegal crypto texts can look very similar to legitimate marketing, but they are against the law if you never agreed to receive them. They often try to create a sense of urgency or offer an incentive to get you to click a link. Here are a few realistic examples of messages that could be TCPA violations:

FutureCoin Alert: The price of ETH is surging! Don't miss out on the action. Sign up and trade today for a $20 bonus. [link] Reply STOP to end

CryptoTrade Pro: Your portfolio is waiting. Final chance to claim your free $50 in BTC when you make your first deposit of $100 or more. Act now! [link] Text END to cancel

How to Check Your Phone for Violations

You might have valuable evidence of TCPA violations sitting in your phone right now. Finding it is easier than you think. Follow these simple steps to identify potential claims related to spam from a crypto exchange or any other business.

  1. Open your messaging app. Go to the search bar at the top.
  2. Search for keywords. Start by searching for terms like "crypto," "BTC," "bonus," "trade," or "exchange." You can also search for the phrase "Reply STOP," as this is commonly included in automated marketing messages.
  3. Take clear screenshots. When you find a suspicious text, take a full-screen screenshot. Make sure the screenshot clearly shows the sender's number or short code, the full text of the message, and the date and time it was received.
  4. Save your evidence. Create a dedicated folder on your phone or computer to save these screenshots. It is also helpful to keep a simple log of the sender's number and the date of each message.

Check Your Phone Right Now

Ready to see if you have a claim? The easiest way to start is by looking for messages that gave you instructions on how to opt out.

Open your messages and search the word STOP.

Any message in your history that contains the phrase "Reply STOP to unsubscribe" or similar language was likely sent from an automated system. If you did not give that company your express written consent to send you marketing, each of those texts could be worth $500 to $1,500. Compiling this evidence is the first step toward holding spammers accountable.

Submit screenshots at SpamClaims.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue a crypto exchange for sending me texts?

Yes, you can file a lawsuit against a crypto exchange for sending unsolicited text messages under the TCPA. If the exchange sent you automated marketing texts without your prior express written consent, or continued to text you after you replied STOP, you have grounds for a claim. The law allows you, as a private citizen, to enforce these rights in court. A successful cryptocurrency spam lawsuit can result in statutory damages of $500 to $1,500 per illegal text, plus attorney's fees and court costs.

What if I signed up but don't remember agreeing to texts?

This is a very common situation. Under the TCPA, the burden of proof is on the sender, not you. The crypto exchange must be able to produce a record of your express written consent that is clear and conspicuous. If they cannot provide this proof, the texts are likely illegal. Many companies bury consent language in long terms of service agreements, but courts often find this is not sufficient to meet the TCPA's high standard for marketing consent, which must be separate and unambiguous.

Are crypto text scams and TCPA violations the same thing?

No, they are different, although they can overlap. A crypto text scam is a fraudulent attempt to steal your money or personal information, often through phishing links or fake investment opportunities. A TCPA violation, on the other hand, relates to the method of contact. Even a legitimate, well-known crypto exchange can violate the TCPA by engaging in illegal marketing practices, such as texting you without permission. Many TCPA claims involve real companies that are simply breaking the marketing rules. You can find examples of both large and small companies that have paid settlements on our TCPA Settlement Tracker.

How long do I have to file a claim for a spam text?

The statute of limitations for filing a TCPA claim is four years. This means you have four years from the date you received the illegal text message to file a lawsuit. This generous timeframe allows you to go back through your message history to find violations that occurred months or even years ago. Because damages are awarded per text, collecting evidence of multiple violations over time can significantly increase the value of your potential claim. Do not delete your old messages.

TLDR

Submit your spam screenshots for attorney review

This article is for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship.