The Telephone Consumer Protection Act is one of the most popular legislation in both district court and federal court for unwanted calls. But how do these calls impact people? In this article, we’ll walk through some major companies that have faced TCPA lawsuits and their outcomes.
We will also break down what happened, why it mattered, and what businesses can learn from these costly mistakes. Before we head on, let’s discuss a basic scenario for such calls that you might experience.
Understanding TCPA Lawsuit Situations
Imagine sitting down to dinner when your phone rings—again. You answer, only to hear a pre-recorded message offering you a “free cruise” or urging you to refinance your mortgage. Annoying, right? You’re not alone.
Thousands of consumers have taken legal action against companies that violate the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) by making unwanted calls, telemarketing calls, and automated text messages.
The TCPA, enacted in 1991, was designed to protect consumers from such intrusions. However, some companies have failed to comply, leading to massive class action lawsuits and tens of millions in settlements.
1. Capital One: The TCPA Lawsuit That Changed the Game
When you think of Capital One, you probably picture their famous tagline: “What’s in your wallet?” Unfortunately for them, the real question became: “How much will this lawsuit cost?”
A TCPA class action lawsuit was filed against Capital One Financial Corporation and its third-party vendors, alleging that they made unauthorized robocalls to cell phone numbers using an automatic telephone dialing system (ATDS) without prior consent.
After a heated legal battle, Capital One agreed to a record-breaking $75.5 million settlement in 2014. This case was a wake-up call for banks and financial institutions, proving that violating the TCPA could come with a hefty price tag.
Lesson Learned: Even if third-party vendors are making the calls on your behalf, you’re still responsible for compliance.
Source: Class Action
2. Dish Network: Ignoring the “Do Not Call” List
If a consumer asks you to stop calling, the right response is simple: stop calling. But Dish Network didn’t get the memo. The Consumer Protection Act, TCPA, provides protection for such cases, but unfortunately, Dish Network made a violation.
The lawsuit alleged that Dish Network and its independent contractors made unsolicited telemarketing calls to consumers who were registered on the National Do Not Call List. This is a clear violation of federal telemarketing laws and the TCPA.
A federal judge ruled against Dish, and in 2017, a jury hit them with a $61 million verdict. But that wasn’t all—Dish also faced an additional $280 million penalty in a separate TCPA lawsuit.
Lesson Learned: Just because you hire a third party to handle your telemarketing efforts, doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. If they violate the TCPA, you’re liable too.
Source: Class Action
3. Caribbean Cruise Line: The “Free Cruise” That Cost $76 Million
If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. That was the case when Caribbean Cruise Line started calling consumers, offering “free cruises.” The catch? These were actually marketing calls disguised as a giveaway.
This soon spread through the Northern District, and both the TCPA and the local court found it as a violation.
Consumers weren’t amused, and a lawsuit followed. In 2016, Caribbean Cruise Line agreed to a $76 million settlement—a clear warning that disguising marketing calls as “gifts” is still a violation.
Lesson Learned: If you’re making promotional calls, be transparent about them. Trying to trick consumers will only land you in legal trouble.
Source: Class Action
4. Citibank: The Cost of Unwanted Debt Collection Calls
Debt collection calls are stressful enough, but when they come without consent, they cross the line into TCPA violations. That’s exactly what happened with Citibank, which faced allegations of making robocalls to cell phones using an automatic dialing system, without obtaining prior express consent.
In 2018, Citibank settled the lawsuit for $29.5 million, with class members receiving payouts of up to $850.
Lesson Learned: Even if the intent is legitimate (debt collection), you still need TCPA compliance.
Source: The Sun
5. UnitedHealthcare: Millions in Unsolicited Calls
The Issue
Imagine receiving calls from your health insurance provider that you never agreed to. That’s what led to a TCPA lawsuit against UnitedHealthcare, accusing them of violating the TCPA by making robocalls and sending text messages without consent.
UnitedHealthcare settled for $2.5 million in 2025, with affected consumers receiving up to $1,000 each. Lesson Learned: Just because you have a consumer’s phone number doesn’t mean you have permission to call them.
Source: Top Class Actions
6. HelloFresh: Ignoring “Do Not Call” Requests
The Complaint
HelloFresh might help you plan your meals, but they failed to plan their compliance strategy. The lawsuit claimed that the company violated the TCPA by calling people who had specifically asked not to be contacted.
The Settlement
A $14 million class action settlement was reached, reinforcing that ignoring opt-out requests is a serious offense.
Lesson Learned: If a customer says, “Don’t call me,” listen.
Source: Telnyx
What Businesses Can Learn from These Cases
These high-profile TCPA lawsuits highlight major mistakes that companies make when engaging in telemarketing or marketing text messages. Here are the key takeaways:
1. Get Prior Express Consent
Whether it’s a phone number or an email, make sure you have explicit permission before reaching out.
2. Respect the Do Not Call List
Just because a number is in your contact list doesn’t mean you can call it indefinitely.
3. Monitor Your Third-Party Vendors
If you hire independent contractors or third parties for telemarketing, ensure they comply with TCPA laws.
4. Avoid Automated Systems Without Consent
The Supreme Court’s decision in multiple TCPA cases has made it clear that using an automatic telephone dialing system (ATDS) without consent is illegal.
Final Thoughts
The TCPA exists to protect consumers, and violating it is an expensive mistake. Companies that fail to comply with telemarketing laws not only face class action lawsuits but also massive financial penalties. Keep the info about companies that have faced TCPA lawsuits and their outcomes in mind, and you shouldn’t have an issue with your case.
For businesses, the message is simple: follow the law, respect consumers, and don’t make unwanted calls—or you could be the next headline.
Get Guidance With TCPA Lawsuits at BLG
It doesn’t matter if you have an entire class of lawsuits or a single TCPA lawsuit; Bourassa Law Group can help you with it. Our attorneys have all the guidance ready for you, ensuring you get the best knowledge firsthand.
We can also guide you if your plaintiffs argued anything during your consumer complaints to the relevant department. All you have to do is contact us, and we will take care of the rest.
1-800-870-8910