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Senator Bruno explains that this announcement provides evidence that NY�s �Do Not Call� Telemarketing Sales Law -- the toughest, most expansive telemarketing law in the nation -- will be strictly enforced. |
Five Companies Cited for �Do Not Call� Violations
Thursday, August 16, 2001
Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno praised Governor George Pataki�s recent announcement that five companies have been cited for apparent violations of New York State�s Telemarketing Sales Law that went into effect on April 1, 2001.
A total of up to $164,000 in fines could be assessed against the five companies Integrated Credit Solutions of Largo, FL; Morgan Stanley Dean Witter/Discover Financial Services of Deerfield, IL; Qwest Communications of Denver, CO; Cross Country Bank of Boca Raton, FL; and Senior Advisory Council of Phoenix, AZ.
"Without proper enforcement and adequate penalties, laws are as weak as the paper on which they are printed," said Senator Bruno. "This announcement provides evidence that New York�s �Do Not Call� Telemarketing Sales Law -- the toughest, most expansive telemarketing law in the nation -- will be strictly enforced. It is imperative that we send a strong message to companies across the nation that we will tolerate these invasions of privacy."
Pending response to the Notices of Apparent Liability, the apparent violations can be challenged and each case will be fully and fairly evaluated and a written decision will be issued on each response.
According to the Consumer Protection Board, the companies cited were served with a Notice of Apparent Liability. They have 30 days to respond to the charges of apparent violations. If not resolved, ultimately these cases can go before an Administrative Law Judge who has the authority to assess fines of up to $2,000 for each violation of the �Do Not Call� Law.
The CPB issued Notices of Apparent Liability against:
Integrated Credit Solutions -- apparently violated the law on 31 occasions. They face a potential fine of up to $62,000.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter / Discover Financial Services -- apparently violated the law on 21 occasions. They face a potential fine of up to $42,000.
Qwest -- apparently violated the law on 16 occasions. Qwest faces a potential fine of up to $32,000.
Cross Country Bank -- apparently violated the law 10 times. They face a potential fine of up to $20,000.
Senior Advisory Council -- apparently violated the �Do Not Call� law four times. They face a potential fine of up to $8,000.
The purpose of the �Do Not Call� law is to restore privacy to the homes of New Yorkers and prevent the high-pressure telemarketing calls that often coerce consumers to immediately buy products over the telephone. Nationally, consumers lose more than $40 billion each year as a result of fraudulent or misleading telemarketing sales calls.
To join over one million New Yorkers that have taken advantage of the State�s "Do Not Call" registry -- or for more information -- click here.
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