Demand-first self-help guide
Robocall and Spam-Text Evidence Checklist
The records to preserve before sending a demand, reporting the contact, consulting counsel, or considering filing.
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
Strong documentation is a chronological record, not a pile of screenshots. Preserve originals, identify what each item proves, keep uncertain contacts separate, and never alter evidence to make the situation appear stronger.
Manual process
What to do
Contact log
Record the date, time, displayed number or sender, call duration, contact type, whether a voicemail was left, and a short factual description.
Original messages
Keep complete text threads, voicemails, emails, screenshots, and recordings made in compliance with applicable consent laws.
Identity evidence
Preserve company names, representative statements, transfers, destination URLs, callback numbers, offers, terms, account notices, and business records.
Consent and opt-out evidence
Keep forms, terms, purchases, account records, permissions, revocations, STOP messages, company-specific do-not-call requests, and registry verification.
Exhibit index
Give each item a simple label and connect it to the event log. Preserve original files separately from annotated or redacted working copies.
Delivery and negotiation
Keep the demand, attachments, delivery confirmation, all responses, settlement drafts, releases, and payment records.
Important limits
Do not skip these cautions
- Recording laws vary. Confirm applicable law before recording a live conversation.
- Redact unrelated personal information before sharing evidence, while preserving an original private copy.
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.