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More people called the state to complain about unwanted phone calls than anything else last year. Now unwanted texts are a growing complaint, legislation to include text messages on the Do Not Call list (has passed) or (is expected to clear) A Senate Committee.

Eighteen thousand times a year, someone calls the state to complain that they got a call from a telemarketer even though the recipient had signed up for the Do-Not-Call list. “Sometime they are frustrated,” says a complaint analyst.

The Do Not Call legislation was created long before mobile phones and texting were in use. The changing technology is bringing new complaints from people whose privacy is being invaded.

Just six hundred people called to complain about unwanted text last year, that number is growing.”

Text messages often cost users who must pay by the text. State Senator Jeff Clemons wants to add texting to the Do Not Call List. “This legislation was written years ago to protect people from this kind of behavior. Here we are in 2014, texting is more prevalent than ever so it’s important that we extend it to include text as well,” says Sen. Jeff Clemons, D-Palm Beach.

The legislation has bi-partisan support. Signing up for Do Not Call is free, but being on the list won’t do you any good unless you are willing to file a complaint when you get unwanted calls or if the legislation passes, text messages pitching a product or service. “So when we have the tools, we can take the action. We do go after them and there are fines involved. When there are multiple violations, the fines just continue to go up,” says Liz Compton, Department of Agriculture.

Once signed up, the Do-Not-Call designation if good for five years.