Demand-first self-help guide
How Much Should a Robocall or Spam-Text Demand Request?
Build a supportable event-by-event demand without treating every unwanted contact as an automatic $500 or $1,500 recovery.
General educational information only. This page does not determine that a violation occurred, replace advice from a qualified attorney, or promise a response, settlement, or court result.
Short answer
What matters most
The TCPA includes private-remedy provisions that are often summarized as actual loss or $500 for certain violations, with possible discretionary enhancement for knowing or willful conduct. That does not mean every unwanted contact automatically produces a $500 or $1,500 payment. The governing provision, facts, evidence, defenses, judicial discretion, collectability, and negotiated resolution all matter.
Manual process
What to do
Count contacts conservatively
List only contacts you can support and keep different theories separate. Do not multiply uncertain events merely to increase a demand.
Match each event to its evidence
Connect the call or text to the message, sender, business, consent history, opt-out record, and rule you believe applies.
Separate statutory exposure from settlement value
A negotiated amount reflects risk, proof, cost, collectability, defenses, and compromise; it is not a judicial finding.
Explain the calculation
Show the recipient how you reached the requested figure and identify which parts remain allegations.
Keep the request credible
A documented, supportable request is more useful than an inflated figure unsupported by the evidence.
Important limits
Do not skip these cautions
- Enhanced damages are not automatic, and this guide does not determine willfulness.
- Reported settlements, judgments, and awards turn on their own facts and do not establish the value of another person’s demand.
Primary and reported sources
Verify the rules and examples
Demand first
Return to the complete process
See how this step fits into evidence preservation, business identification, a documented resolution demand, negotiation, and filing only as a final escalation.