Keller Williams Cold Calling Lawsuit: A Landmark Ruling
A landmark settlement has been reached in a class-action lawsuit against Keller Williams Realty, one of the largest real estate companies in the United States, alleging that the company violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) by making unsolicited cold calls to consumers.
Allegations of TCPA Violations
The lawsuit, filed in 2019, alleged that Keller Williams agents made unsolicited pre-recorded calls to consumers, including those on the National Do Not Call Registry, without their consent. The plaintiffs argued that these calls were a violation of the TCPA, a federal law that prohibits telemarketers from making unsolicited calls to consumers who have registered their phone numbers with the Do Not Call Registry.
Landmark Settlement
In June 2023, Keller Williams agreed to pay $40 million to settle the lawsuit. The settlement is one of the largest settlements ever reached in a TCPA lawsuit.
In addition to paying the $40 million settlement, Keller Williams is also required to implement a number of reforms to its telemarketing practices, including:
- Obtaining written consent from consumers before making pre-recorded calls.
- Ensuring that its agents are aware of the TCPA and its requirements.
- Establishing a system for tracking and responding to consumer complaints about telemarketing calls.
Significance of the Settlement
The settlement is a significant victory for consumers and a major blow to telemarketers who make unsolicited cold calls. It sends a clear message that telemarketers must comply with the TCPA, and that there are serious consequences for violating the law.
The settlement is also likely to have a ripple effect throughout the real estate industry. Other real estate companies will need to take steps to ensure that their telemarketing practices comply with the TCPA, or they may face similar lawsuits.
Recommendations for Consumers
If you have received an unsolicited telemarketing call from Keller Williams or any other company, you may be entitled to compensation. You can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or contact an attorney to discuss your legal options.
You can also register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry to help reduce the number of unsolicited telemarketing calls you receive.
Additional Resources
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC): https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/advertising-marketing/telemarketing
- National Do Not Call Registry: https://www.donotcall.gov/
- Consumer Reports: https://www.customerservicenumber.org/listing/consumer-reports-customer-service-number-800-333-0663/
