Planet Money Spam call bounty hunter
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Dec 14, 2022 Explore the quirky tale of one man's mission to combat annoying telemarketing calls. He uncovers his right to sue these unsolicited callers, turning frustration into a legal crusade. Delve into the challenges of enforcing consumer protection laws and the humorous trials of navigating the legal system without a lawyer. Learn about the consequences of recent court rulings affecting these lawsuits and the strange incentives that keep minor telemarketers in business. It’s a wild ride of justice and resilience in a world of unwanted calls!
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Dad Versus Telemarketers
- Nathan Barton, a stay-at-home dad, was frustrated by the constant telemarketing calls his kids received on their new cell phones.
- He decided to use an obscure law allowing individuals to sue telemarketers for $500 per illegal call.
Crowdsourced Justice
- The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) empowers individuals to sue telemarketers.
- This private right of action turns citizens into enforcers, similar to historical bounty systems.
YouTube Law School
- Nathan Barton learned about the TCPA through YouTube and began his legal pursuit of telemarketers.
- He even bought and returned a vacation package to obtain a company's information for a lawsuit.