CASE OVERVIEW

Type: TCPA Class Action Investigations

Industries Covered: Automotive Dealerships, Fitness/Gym Chains

Published: February 2026

Status: Active Investigations — No Filed Lawsuit Required to Participate

Spam Texts From Car Dealerships and Gyms May Violate Federal Law — Here's What Consumers Should Know

If your phone has been buzzing with unsolicited texts from a car dealership or gym membership program, you may not be alone — and those messages may be more than just an annoyance. Under federal law, consumers who receive certain unwanted marketing communications could have legal recourse, and several active investigations are looking into exactly that.

According to a recent class action investigation overview, attorneys are currently examining whether auto dealerships and fitness companies have been sending unsolicited text messages and telemarketing calls in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) — a federal statute that restricts how businesses can contact consumers electronically.

The TCPA generally requires companies to obtain prior written consent before sending automated marketing texts or making robocalls to consumers. When that consent is absent — or when companies continue contacting consumers after they've opted out — the law provides for statutory damages of $500 to $1,500 per violation. Those figures can add up quickly across thousands of recipients, making TCPA claims a frequent target for class action litigation.

Here's a closer look at the two active investigations currently drawing consumer attention.

1. Car Dealership Unsolicited Text Messages

Status: Active Investigation

Potential Recovery: Up to $500–$1,500 per text message, according to TCPA statutory guidelines

Who May Qualify: Consumers who received unsolicited marketing texts from a car dealership without having provided prior written consent, or after requesting to be removed from contact lists

Attorneys are investigating whether auto dealerships across the country have been sending promotional and marketing text messages to consumers using automated dialing systems without the required consent. Under the TCPA, businesses — including car dealerships — are generally prohibited from sending automated marketing texts without obtaining express written permission from the recipient beforehand.

The investigation centers on consumers who may have received dealership texts promoting vehicle sales, service reminders with a marketing component, or financing offers — particularly those who never provided their phone number to the dealership directly, or who previously asked to stop receiving communications.

To explore eligibility: Consumers can review the car dealership TCPA investigation details to learn more about the inquiry and whether their experience may align with what attorneys are examining.

2. Gym and Fitness Center Telemarketing Texts

Status: Active Investigation

Potential Recovery: Potentially thousands of dollars, depending on the number of messages received and circumstances

Who May Qualify: Consumers who received unsolicited spam texts or telemarketing calls from a gym or fitness chain without prior consent, or after attempting to opt out

A separate investigation is examining whether gym chains and fitness membership programs have been contacting consumers via automated text messages and robocalls in potential violation of the TCPA. The inquiry focuses on promotional messages — such as membership offers, class promotions, or renewal reminders with a marketing purpose — allegedly sent to consumers who did not authorize such contact.

Attorneys investigating the matter suggest that consumers who received these messages may be entitled to significant statutory compensation on a per-message basis. Because many consumers receive multiple texts before a company honors an opt-out request, the potential damages in these cases can accumulate across numerous individual violations.

Notably, TCPA claims related to text messages often do not require the consumer to have suffered a financial loss — the receipt of an unwanted automated message may itself constitute the basis of a claim under the statute.

Key Takeaways

• The TCPA is a federal law that restricts automated marketing texts and robocalls — violations can carry statutory damages of $500 to $1,500 per message, regardless of whether the consumer suffered direct financial harm.
• Prior written consent matters — companies are generally required to obtain it before sending promotional texts; consumers who never provided a phone number to a dealership or gym, or who were contacted after opting out, may have a stronger basis for a claim.
• These are investigations, not filed lawsuits — no case needs to be pending for consumers to submit their information; attorneys use these inquiries to assess whether a class action is viable.
• No proof of purchase is typically required — in many TCPA investigations, consumers can participate based on their recollection of receiving the messages and the phone number used.
• Checking eligibility does not mean filing a lawsuit — submitting information to an investigation is an exploratory step, not a legal commitment.

Have you received unsolicited texts from a car dealership or gym? Share your experience in the comments below.

InjuryClaims.com reports on litigation developments for informational purposes only. Nothing in this article constitutes legal advice. Eligibility for any settlement or lawsuit is determined by attorneys and courts, not by this publication.