What Is Unwanted Solicitation?
Unwanted solicitation is any unsolicited communication — calls, texts, emails, ads, or outreach — that you didn't ask for and don't want.
Types of unwanted solicitation
Unwanted solicitation comes in many forms: telemarketing calls, robocalls, spam texts, marketing emails, political outreach, fundraising calls, business solicitation, and targeted digital advertising. Each type has different rules, but the core problem is the same — someone is contacting you without your consent.
Your rights
Federal laws protect you from unwanted solicitation. The TCPA restricts calls and texts, the CAN-SPAM Act regulates commercial email, and the National Do Not Call Registry lets you opt out of telemarketing. State laws add additional protections. You always have the right to ask any sender to stop contacting you.
How to take action
CivicShield's five-step system: Identify what kind of solicitation you're receiving. Document each incident with the sender and date. Opt Out using the appropriate mechanism. Track whether the sender continues. Act by reporting, generating a notice, or escalating.
How CivicShield helps
CivicShield is a consumer protection platform for unwanted solicitation. It helps you document incidents across all channels, track whether your opt-out requests are honored, and generate stop-contact notices when they're not — all in one organized place.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between spam and solicitation?
Spam is any unsolicited message, while solicitation specifically asks for something — a sale, a donation, a vote, or a response. All solicitation can be spam, but not all spam is solicitation (e.g., phishing attempts).
Is unwanted solicitation illegal?
It depends on the type, whether you've opted out, and whether the sender has a relationship with you. Many unwanted calls and texts violate the TCPA, and commercial emails that ignore CAN-SPAM are illegal. But political and charitable solicitation has some exemptions.
How do I stop unwanted solicitation?
Register on the Do Not Call Registry, opt out of each sender, enable spam filters, and document repeat offenders. No single step stops everything — it takes a systematic approach across all channels.
What is CivicShield?
CivicShield is a consumer protection platform that helps you identify, document, opt out of, track, and take action against unwanted solicitation across all channels — texts, calls, emails, political outreach, fundraising, and ads.
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Disclaimer: CivicShield is a consumer privacy and documentation tool, not a law firm. CivicShield does not provide legal advice or guarantee a particular legal outcome. Laws and regulations vary by circumstance and jurisdiction. References to laws such as the TCPA or CAN-SPAM Act are for general informational purposes only — consult authoritative sources like the FCC and FTC for official guidance.