Re: do not call answering service/not

Posted by Paul (216.127.82.99) on May 04, 2004 at 21:46:34:

In Reply to: Re: do not call answering service/not posted by Bob3 on May 04, 2004 at 20:18:24:

Two current scams.
Verification Scam.
Charge scam to get on the registry.

“Scam artists capitalizing on the popularity of existing state "Do Not Call" lists and the proposed FTC "Do Not Call" registry have devised yet another method to trick consumers into giving up personal information, such as their Social Security number, bank account number, credit card number or telephone calling card number.

Here's how the scam works: someone calls you claiming to represent a "Do Not Call" registry or the FTC. The phony registry "official" asks for your personal information, supposedly to verify that you are on the "Do Not Call" list. The caller is a con artist who could use your personal information to run up debts in your name or otherwise steal your identity. Once a consumer signs up with a state's actual "Do Not Call" registry, there is no need to confirm personal information.”

http://ftp.fcc.gov/cgb/news/080502fraudwk1.html

“April 22, 2004
The Federal Trade Commission has filed a complaint against a set of North Carolina-based defendants who allegedly billed consumers, without their consent, for listing them in the National Do Not Call Registry before it had even been set up.

According to the FTC’s complaint, the defendants cold-called consumers offering to list them in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) do not call list. At the time the calls were made, however, the FCC did not have a do not call list in place, and the defendants had no way of listing consumers, who were charged as much as $99.95 for their first year of “service.”
The Commission’s complaint charges Telephone Protection Agency and Robert Thompson, Rebecca Phillips, and Alex McKaughn with violating both the FTC Act and the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR). The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court in North Carolina.

“These defendants billed consumers who refused their pitch, and they didn’t deliver anything to anyone,” said Howard Beales, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “There is absolutely no need for any consumer to pay to place a phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. It’s a free service of the federal government, and it’s easy to do by telephone or online.”

http://consumeraffairs.com/news04/do_not_call_scam.html

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