FTC, Law Enforcers Nationwide Announce Enforcement Sweep to Stem the Tide of Illegal Telemarketing Calls to U.S. Consumers
On July 18, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced a significant enforcement initiative called "Operation Stop Scam Calls," in collaboration with over 100 federal and state law enforcement agencies, including the attorneys general from all 50 states. This crackdown targets illegal telemarketing practices, particularly robocalls, and involves more than 180 enforcement actions against operations responsible for billions of unsolicited calls to U.S. consumers.
The initiative not only focuses on telemarketers but also addresses lead generators who misrepresent consumer consent to receive such calls and the VoIP service providers that facilitate these illegal activities. The FTC's actions include five new cases against companies and individuals accused of distributing or supporting illegal telemarketing calls. The enforcement actions reaffirm that lead generation for robocalls is prohibited under the Telemarketing Sales Rule (“TSR”) and highlight a commitment to addressing all players in the telemarketing ecosystem.
Notable cases include complaints against Fluent, LLC, which allegedly deceived consumers into consenting to marketing calls through misleading advertising and websites, resulting in the sale of over 620 million telemarketing leads. The FTC is seeking a $2.5 million penalty from Fluent and imposing restrictions on its future activities. Similar actions were taken against other entities, including Viceroy Media Solutions, Yodel Technologies, and Solar Xchange LLC, each accused of various violations, including contacting consumers on the Do Not Call Registry and using misleading practices in telemarketing.
In total, the FTC has pursued 167 cases against illegal robocallers and Do Not Call violators, resulting in over $2 billion in court-ordered payments. The agency emphasizes the importance of consumer reports in combating illegal calls and encourages continued public vigilance.
The initiative also follows earlier actions aimed at preventing illegal robocalls, demonstrating the FTC's ongoing commitment to protecting consumers from unwanted and deceptive telemarketing practices.
For more information, see here: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/07/ftc-law-enforcers-nationwide-announce-enforcement-sweep-stem-tide-illegal-telemarketing-calls-us
These materials were obtained directly from the Federal Government public websites and are posted here for your review and reference only. No Claim to Original U.S. Government Works. These may not be the most recent versions. The U.S. Government may have more current information. We make no guarantees or warranties about the accuracy or completeness of this information, or the information linked to. Please check the linked sources directly.
Download:
