Annoyed Law Student Forces Stellantis to Pay $8.95 Million for Ringless Voicemails

Background

In 2018, FCA U.S. contacted 89,000 individuals across the United States with an offer related to the Pacifica Hybrid. The company utilized “ringless” voicemails, prompting a law student to sue them for violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. As a result, FCA U.S. has agreed to settle the case by paying up to $8.95 million.

The Lawsuit

Class action lawsuits often revolve around critical safety concerns, but in this instance, it was a violation of a lesser-known rule prohibiting businesses from disturbing consumers via phone calls. Miriam Grigorian, the persistent law student, received a voicemail from FCA U.S. in 2018 regarding a deal on the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. She believed this call breached the TCPA, leading to the settlement agreement.

The Settlement

Despite maintaining their innocence, FCA U.S. has agreed to compensate each recipient of the call with approximately $60 (or $25 for those involved in another class action suit concerning Ram vehicles). With 89,000 people contacted, the total settlement amount could reach $8.95 million.

Resolution

The dispute initially faced dismissal by a judge but was later appealed. Grigorian’s case focused on FCA U.S.’s use of ringless voicemails, which cannot be blocked or answered by recipients. The court questioned the impact of these calls on recipients, with Grigorian arguing that they took away time she could have spent studying for the Florida bar exam.

Conclusion

While FCA U.S. denies any wrongdoing, they have chosen to settle the matter and will inform potential class members of their entitlement to compensation via mail. The settlement brings an end to a contentious legal battle over unsolicited ringless voicemails.