Are missed call texts legal? A plain-English guide for contractors

Updated November 2026 · By Eamon, founder of JobCatcher

If you text people who just called you, is that legal? In most cases yes, when you follow a few simple rules. This is a plain-English overview, not legal advice.

Try it yourselfCall our demo line from your cell. Nobody picks up, so you’ll hear the message and get the text in seconds, just like your customers will.

Call (210) 794-9370It’s a regular local number, so calling costs you nothing extra, and it goes straight to voicemail. Go ahead, give it a try.

The short answer

In the US, the main federal rule for business texts is the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), enforced by the Federal Communications Commission. It is mostly about unwanted marketing texts and autodialed messages. A text that replies to someone who just called you is a very different thing from a mass marketing blast, but you should still know the basics.

What the FCC says

The FCC explains that texts sent with an autodialer to a mobile number generally need the person’s consent, and that people can opt out of robotexts at any time in any reasonable way. Commercial texts need written consent, while for informational texts, consent may be oral. Read the FCC’s own explanation on its robocalls and texts page.

Good habits for missed call texts

Only text people who called you. Do not use a missed call tool to message lists of strangers.
Say who you are. Start the message with your business name.
Honor STOP. Anyone who replies STOP should never be texted again.
Keep it useful. Reply to their call, ask what they need, offer a time. Do not send ads.
Do not text over and over. One reply per call is plenty. JobCatcher sends at most one text every 12 hours per caller.
Register your number. US carriers require business texting numbers to be registered. See what 10DLC is.

What JobCatcher does

JobCatcher only texts people whose call you missed, signs every message with your business name, honors STOP, limits repeat texts and registers your local number with US carriers as part of the one-time activation. You can read our SMS terms for details.

When to ask a lawyer

If you plan to send marketing messages, run promotions or text purchased lists, talk to a lawyer who knows the TCPA first. Rules and enforcement change, and penalties can be serious.

Common questions

Is it legal to text someone who just called my business?

Generally yes when the text is a reply to their call and follows the rules on identifying yourself, honoring STOP and carrier registration. This is not legal advice; check with a lawyer for your situation.

Do I have to honor STOP?

Yes. People can opt out at any time in any reasonable way, and you should never text them again.

Do I need to register my business texting number?

US carriers require it. It is called 10DLC registration. JobCatcher handles it as part of the one-time activation.

Hear it for yourself: call (210) 794-9370, let it go to voicemail and watch your phone. It’s the same kind of text your customers get, and the call costs you nothing extra.

Stop losing jobs to missed calls. JobCatcher texts every missed caller back in seconds and lets them book a time inside your hours. From $39/month, no contract.

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About the author. Eamon founded JobCatcher after 8 years building sales automation for enterprise companies. He wrote this guide from what he has learned bringing the same tools to the trades. More about Eamon.