(Try saying that title ten times fast) In March of this year the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) stepped up it’s efforts against scams that targeted financially strapped consumers with more than 90 actions brought by the commission and its law enforcement partners in a investigation called “Operation Empty Promises.” Within this investigation the FTC looked …
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 …
In response to charges by the Federal Trade Commission and four state attorneys general, a U.S. district court has ordered a defendant who assisted in a wide-ranging government grant scheme to pay $1.68 million, and has banned her from marketing money-making opportunities to consumers. Under the federal court order, Meggie Chapman is ordered to pay …
A year ago this month the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) barred debt settlement companies that used telemarketing from accepting up-front fees. Although it’s been an entire year since this change we are still see companies trying sneak in those up-front fees with businesses trying to exploit loopholes. The whole purpose of the Telemarketing Sales Ruling …
A reader from Ohio reported the following issues regarding Morgan Drexen telemarketing. “Morgan Drexen. Unless they want to buy me out im filling suit against them very soon. They have been calling non stop to finish our conversation and finish paper work. Even though I have NEVER spoken to them other than my recent calls …
In a statement made by the FTC to the FCC, the point that end providers are responsible for what outside telemarketers and agents say was reinforced. This is a very important point to keep in mind if you are using a call room or an outside sales force and you are not monitoring what they …
Last year I wrote about the need for a Florida telemarketing license if you are calling out of or into Florida for clients. Information on how to get a license can be found here. Apparently telephone sales scripts need to be submitted to the department prior to use. At least that’s what some folks found …
American consumers won’t be getting any more telemarketing pitches from robocaller Fereidoun “Fred” Khalilian, under a settlement reached by the Federal Trade Commission. Khalilian has agreed to be permanently banned from the telemarketing business in order to settle FTC charges that he and his company allegedly used pre-recorded robocalls to sell consumers auto service contracts. …
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 …
If you are a debt relief company that has a call center located in Florida, your business address is in Florida, or you call Florida residents, you had better make sure you have a business telemarketing license and your individual employees hold a commercial telephone salesperson license from the State of Florida. In the past …