It’s totally legal to record conversations across state lines and you don’t have to tell the company at all.

This right is granted specifically by Federal statute 18 U.S.C. Sec. 2511(2)(d).

Now, if the call center is in your state, you will have to notify them, but only if you’re in one of these states: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania Washington.

Mostly, calls to companies are interstate. You can secretly record to your heart’s delight.

All is not lost if the call is intrastate and they refuse to continue until you stop recording. Ask them what they have to hide. Ask, “What are your crimes?” Alternate between those two questions. Send us the recording.

So, for Jeff, who told T-mobile that he was recording and they wanted to hang up, the answer is simple. Next time, just don’t tell them.

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