PENNSYLVANIA — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced three settlements — totaling more than $90,000 — against telemarketers that allegedly violated Pennsylvania’s “Do-Not-Call” Law and contacted people on the no-call list.
According to the Office of Attorney General’s investigation, American Automotive Alliance, LLC, of Florida, and Delaware-based AM Protection, Inc., along with its owner Mariam Nasrati, marketed auto warranties in the pre-recorded calls. Ohio-based Mammoth Marketing Group, LLC, made calls marketing Medicare benefits to senior citizens.
“My office is committed to fighting back against telemarketers that call Pennsylvanians who make it clear they do not want unsolicited calls,” Attorney General Henry said. “These settlements send a stern message that telemarketers who break the law are not welcomed here.”
In Pennsylvania, telemarketers are required to register with the Office of Attorney General and provide a surety bond of $50,000 – this bond will ensure the telemarketing agency is bound by state telemarketing laws. Telemarketers are prohibited from placing solicitation calls to consumers who register their telephone numbers on the “Do-Not-Call” list. The investigation revealed that none of the three companies had registered as telemarketers with the Office of Attorney General.
Some consumers reported that the calls appeared on their caller IDs as calls being made from a local number, even though they originated out of state. That deceptive practice, called “spoofing,” intends to trick the consumer into answering the phone; it is on the rise nationwide.
As part of the terms of the settlement agreements, or Assurances of Voluntary Compliance, all three companies are required to comply with the Pennsylvania Telemarketer Registration Act, including not calling residents with phone numbers on the “Do-Not-Call” List.
If you are on the Pennsylvania “Do-Not-Call” List and you receive unwanted and unsolicited calls from telemarketers, you should file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection at Do Not Call Verification – PA Office of Attorney General or contact the Bureau at 800-441-2555 or scams@attorneygeneral.gov.
The Assurances of Voluntary Compliance were filed in Allegheny, Westmoreland, and Erie County Courts of Common Pleas, and were handled by Deputy Attorney General Merna Hoffman.
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