Question: Dear Steve, I have a question about debt-reduction telemarketing scammers. None of the lame advice we’re given (just hang up, DNC list, etc.) has ever provided any relief. I have an idea for fighting back, and I’d like your take on it. My idea is to create a web site to recruit and train … Read more
Here is a great story that lays out how shady telemarketers can convince you to jump into any scam. In my world it is usually some B.S. debt relief effort. Today the most prevailing debt relief product some scammers are pushing is student loan assistance for federal loans. But it is a moving target. In … Read more
The Federal Trade Commission is taking action against a telemarketing operation that allegedly made illegal robocalls, called phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry, and masked Caller ID information, in violation of the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule. The FTC’s complaint seeks to make the defendants pay civil penalties and stop the illegal calls. … Read more
Americall, an Illinois-based telemarketing firm will pay $500,000 civil penalty to settle Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charges that it interfered with consumers’ requests to be placed on company-specific do not call lists and transmitted deceptive Caller ID names. The FTC alleged that Americall Group, Inc violated the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) in it’s efforts … Read more
After pitching $40 million in fake auto-service warranties two former telemarketing executives are sentenced to five years in prison and a fine of $15,000 each. Christopher Cowart and Cris Sagnelli of Florida pleaded guilty last December to federal fraud charges arising out of the telemarketing sales practices of Transcontinental Warranty, a Florida company selling so … Read more
Yesterday the Better Business Bureau (BBB) put put a warning of an “instant cash” Las Vegas company, Funds Direct, that are allegedly debiting consumer’s accounts $30 without authorization. Complaints filed by consumers are saying that their accounts are having direct withdrawals taken but that they have never had any contact or even heard of Funds … Read more
Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson has announced the arrest of a Lee County man for falsifying information on a state document that telemarketers are required to submit. 38 year old Jose A. Negron was charged with two 3rd degree felonies for falsification of a telephone salesperson application. The department regulates telemarketers and … Read more