HARRISBURG, PA — A Colorado-based company has been hit with a $25,000 fine after it was found to have sold the personal data of unsuspecting Pennsylvanians to telemarketing companies. The settlement was announced by Attorney General Michelle Henry, who vowed to continue targeting firms that ‘illegally and carelessly’ cross privacy boundaries.
The firm in question, Shopgala, LLC, which also operates under the name Surveys2cash, had been gathering consumer information from individuals who registered to receive allegedly free samples or payment for completing online surveys. However, these promotional offers failed to clearly disclose that the gathered information could be sold to third parties, including telemarketers.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of reading the fine print when signing up for online offers. It’s easy to overlook the details when you’re enticed by the promise of freebies or rewards. But remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
The settlement permanently stops Shopgala from selling or sharing consumer data unless it is obtained in line with the requirements set out under the Federal Telemarketing Sales Rule. This rule requires that telemarketers disclose certain information before a customer pays for goods or services.
“Do Not Call means just that, and my office will continue to do all we can to aggressively target those who illegally and carelessly cross those boundaries,” Attorney General Henry said. “Thousands of consumers registering for free samples had no idea they were also signing on for invasive and disruptive telemarketing calls.”
The $25,000 fine will be paid to the Office of Attorney General and will be used for public protection and educational purposes. The settlement was filed in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas by Senior Deputy Attorney General Amy L. Schulman of the Pittsburgh Regional Office.
If you are on the Pennsylvania “Do-Not-Call” List and you receive unwanted and unsolicited calls from telemarketers, you should file a complaint by visiting www.attorneygeneral.gov or contact the Office of Attorney General Bureau of Consumer Protection at 800-441-2555 or scams@attorneygeneral.gov.
It’s clear that data privacy is a growing concern. It’s crucial to understand how your information is used and shared when you sign up for online services. Always be vigilant about where you share your personal details and stay informed about your rights as a consumer.
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