You’ve asked them to stop. Politely at first. Then firmly. Then with language you wouldn’t use in front of your mother. And still, the phone rings. Same pitch. Sometimes the same person. Sometimes a different voice reading the same script.

‍

If you’re a commercial building owner in the Midwest, there’s a decent chance you know exactly what we’re talking about. Aggressive roofing telemarketers who call repeatedly, refuse to honor removal requests, and treat your business phone like their personal lead generation tool.

‍

Here’s what most people don’t realize: you have legal protections, and those protections have teeth. The Federal Trade Commission has brought over 150 enforcement actions against Do Not Call violators and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties and restitution. Individual violations can carry fines of over $50,000 per call.

‍

But those protections only work when people file complaints. This guide walks you through everything you need to know.

‍

Your Rights Under Federal Law

‍

The Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR), enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), enforced by the Federal Communications Commission, together create a framework that limits when and how companies can contact you by phone.

‍

Here’s what you need to know,

‍

• The National Do Not Call Registry is free and permanent. Once you register your phone number at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222, your registration does not expire. Telemarketers have 31 days to stop calling you after registration.
• Business phone lines can be registered. This is the part most commercial building owners don’t know. Your business phone numbers are eligible for the Do Not Call Registry. Register every line.
• Companies must maintain their own internal do-not-call lists. Even before you register with the national registry, the moment you tell a company to stop calling, they are legally required to add you to their own internal list and honor that request. This is separate from the national registry.
• Penalties are substantial. The FTC can impose fines exceeding $50,000 per violation. When a company calls you repeatedly after you’ve asked them to stop and you’re on the registry, each call is a separate violation.
• You may have a private right of action. Under the TCPA, individuals can potentially sue for $500 per violation, or up to $1,500 per willful violation. Consult with an attorney if you believe you have a case.

‍

Indiana-Specific Protections

‍

Indiana residents have additional protections through the state Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division. The AG’s office has the authority to investigate consumer complaints and take legal action against companies that violate Indiana’s Deceptive Consumer Sales Act.

‍

Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office has specifically warned Hoosiers about home improvement contractor scams, including aggressive telephone solicitation. The Consumer Protection Division can be reached at 1-800-382-5516 or through the complaint form at in.gov/attorneygeneral.

‍

The more complaints the AG’s office receives about a specific company, the more likely they are to open a formal investigation. Your individual complaint matters because it contributes to a pattern of evidence that can trigger state-level enforcement action.

‍

How to Document Harassment Calls

‍

Documentation is your most powerful tool. Every complaint you file is stronger when it’s backed by specific, detailed records. Here’s how to build your case,

‍

Start a Call Log

‍

Every time you receive an unwanted call, record the following.

‍

• Date and time of the call
• Phone number displayed on caller ID
• Name of the person who called (if they give one)
• Company name they claim to represent
• What they were selling or offering
• Whether you asked to be removed from their list
• Their response to your removal request

‍

A simple spreadsheet works. The goal is to establish a pattern: repeated contact, from the same company, after explicit requests to stop.

‍

Recording Calls in Indiana

‍

Indiana is a one-party consent state for recording phone calls. This means that as long as you are a participant in the conversation, you can legally record the call without informing the other party. However, we recommend announcing that you’re recording for two practical reasons: first, it creates an airtight record; and second, it often changes the caller’s behavior in ways that are themselves revealing.

‍

A simple statement works: “Just so you know, I’m recording this call for my records. I’ve asked your company multiple times to stop calling us. Can you please provide your name and confirm which company you’re calling from?”

‍

Save all recordings. They can be submitted as evidence with your complaints.

‍

Where to File Complaints And Why Each One Matters

‍

File with every relevant agency. This isn’t redundant, each agency serves a different enforcement function, and complaints to multiple agencies create overlapping pressure that a company can’t easily ignore.

‍

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

‍

• Online: donotcall.gov (for Do Not Call violations) or ReportFraud.ftc.gov (for broader deceptive practices)
• Phone: 1-888-382-1222
• Why it matters: The FTC aggregates complaints to identify patterns. When enough complaints accumulate against one company, the FTC can pursue enforcement action including injunctions and civil penalties. The FTC has recovered over $178 million in penalties from Do Not Call violators.

‍

Indiana Attorney General — Consumer Protection Division

‍

• Online: in.gov/attorneygeneral (click “File a Complaint”)
• Phone: 1-800-382-5516 or 317-232-6330
• Why it matters: The AG’s office can take legal action on behalf of the state against companies violating Indiana’s Deceptive Consumer Sales Act. This is particularly relevant when the company’s conduct extends beyond just phone calls into deceptive sales practices — misrepresenting the quality, durability, or nature of the roofing service, for example.

‍

Better Business Bureau (BBB)

‍

• Online: bbb.org
• Why it matters: BBB complaints create a public record. Future customers researching the company will see these complaints. The BBB also shares complaint data with government agencies. Even companies with high star ratings can have revealing complaint patterns if you look closely.

‍

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

‍

• Online: consumercomplaints.fcc.gov
• Why it matters: The FCC handles robocall and caller ID spoofing complaints. If the company is using auto-dialers or pre-recorded messages, the FCC has jurisdiction.

‍

Sending a Cease and Desist Letter

‍

A written cease and desist letter creates a dated, documented record that you explicitly demanded the calls stop. While not legally required (a verbal request is sufficient under the law), a written letter removes any ambiguity and strengthens your position in any future complaint or legal action.

‍

Here’s a template you can adapt,

‍

CEASE AND DESIST — TEMPLATE

‍

[Date]

[Company Name]

[Company Address]

‍

Via Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested

RE: Demand to Cease All Telephone Solicitation

‍

To Whom It May Concern:

‍

I am writing to demand that [Company Name] immediately cease all telephone contact with [Your Business Name] at the following numbers: [list all business phone numbers].

‍

Our phone numbers are registered on the National Do Not Call Registry. We have verbally requested removal from your call lists on multiple occasions, including on the following dates: [list dates if you have them]. Despite these requests, your company has continued to call our business.

‍

This letter serves as formal written notice that any further telephone solicitation to our business constitutes a knowing violation of the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule (16 CFR Part 310) and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (47 U.S.C. § 227). We reserve the right to pursue all available remedies, including but not limited to filing complaints with the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, the Indiana Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, and private legal action.

‍

Please confirm in writing within 10 business days that our numbers have been permanently removed from all call lists.

‍

Sincerely,

[Your Name, Title, Business Name]

‍

Send this via certified mail with return receipt requested. Keep a copy. The return receipt proves they received it, and that proof matters if you need to escalate.

‍

Why This Matters for Our Community

‍

Persistent telemarketing harassment doesn’t just waste your time. It poisons the well for every legitimate contractor in the region. When a building owner has been badgered by aggressive callers for months or years, they develop an understandable hostility toward anyone who picks up the phone and says the word “roofing.”

‍

We’ve heard from building owners who admit they now refuse to take calls from any contractor, even ones they need. The harassment has made them so guarded that legitimate companies offering quality work can’t even get a conversation. The entire industry suffers. Building owners suffer because they delay needed repairs. And the companies doing the harassing? They don’t care, because their model is built on volume, not relationships.

‍

Every complaint you file chips away at this. Every documented call, every BBB review, every FTC report contributes to a body of evidence that regulatory agencies use to justify enforcement action. No single complaint shuts a company down. But a thousand complaints, from a thousand business owners, across a dozen states? That’s how change happens.

‍

What the Roof Scam Recovery Group Is Doing

‍

We’re building a community of building owners who’ve been affected by aggressive and deceptive roofing practices. Our goal is three-fold,

‍

1. Prevention. Educating building owners about common scam tactics so they can protect themselves before they’re victimized.
2. Community. Creating a space where people can share their experiences without shame. You’re not stupid for trusting someone. These operations are designed to be convincing.
3. Accountability. Aggregating stories, documentation, and resources so that regulatory agencies and legal professionals have what they need to take action.

‍

If you’ve been affected by persistent telemarketing harassment or deceptive roofing practices, we want to hear from you. Visit roofrecoverycommunity.com to share your story, access resources, and connect with others who’ve been through the same thing.

‍

You don’t have to put up with it. And you don’t have to fight it alone.

‍

QUICK REFERENCE: WHERE TO FILE

‍

• FTC Do Not Call Complaint: donotcall.gov | 1-888-382-1222
• FTC Fraud Report: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
• Indiana Attorney General: in.gov/attorneygeneral | 1-800-382-5516
• FCC Consumer Complaints: consumercomplaints.fcc.gov
• Better Business Bureau: bbb.org
• Share Your Story: roofrecoverycommunity.com

‍

‍

‍