anti206

Telemarketer Guardian Communications shut down by FTC

2007-11-10T02:04:00.000-05:00

Posted at Quad City Times

Telemarketing companies face federal lawsuit

By Dustin Lemmon
Thursday, November 08, 2007

A federal lawsuit has been filed against two telemarketing companies based in Moline that have allegedly violated laws related to the national do-not-call registry and use of automated dialers.

According to the suit filed by the U.S. Attorney’s office in U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois, the companies have abandoned calls, failed to transmit caller identification information and placed calls on behalf of sellers who had not paid National Do Not Call Registry fees.

The defendants include Guardian Communications, in the 1600 block of 7th Street, United States Voice Broadcasting Inc., in the 1900 block of 7th Street, and Kevin Baker, owner and president of Guardian Communications.
Efforts to reach the defendants for comment Wednesday were unsuccessful. A phone number for Guardian Enterprises, which has the same address as Guardian Communications, was disconnected.

The Federal Trade Commission issued a news release Wednesday saying the suit is one of five nationwide filed this week against companies that have violated various telemarketing laws.
The FTC said a stipulated final order was filed with the suit and the two companies will pay $150,000 to settle the case with a remaining $7.8 million judgment suspended because they’re unable to pay.

According to the suit, since 2004 the companies through a joint venture have sold a voice message delivery service that can be used to deliver pre-recorded messages to consumers and their answering machines through a service described as “voice broadcasting.”
The sellers record a message, and the companies use an automated dialer to place calls to a database of telephone numbers either provided by the companies or the seller, the suit states, adding the companies can place up to 20 million phone calls a day.

The defendants have violated federal laws by “abandoning” or not connecting calls to a live representative within two seconds of the consumer answering the phone, the suit states.
According to the suit, the defendants have programmed their equipment to either play a recorded message to the person answering the phone or cancel the call after determining that the phone was not answered by an answering machine or voice-mail system.
“Guardian blasted phone numbers with pre-recorded telemarketing pitches, immediately terminating calls when a live consumer answered,” the FTC said in its news release.
The companies also violated laws requiring that either the name of the telemarketer or seller be displayed to the consumer’s caller ID service, the suit states, adding the calls would say “Cust Service,” “Services, Inc.,” “Card Services,” “LTR” or “DWC.”

The suit further claims that the companies since October 2003 have called numerous numbers in various area codes without their sellers having paid an annual fee for access to telephone numbers included in the National Do Not Call Registry.
The suit claims the defendants could be fined $11,000 for each violation of the FTC Telemarketing Sales Rule. The suit also asks for a court order permanently enjoining the defendants from further violations.

Dustin Lemmon can be contacted at
(563) 383-2493 or
dlemmon@qctimes.com

Thanks to everybody who helped shut down this illegal telemarketer. It took over two years, but stopping 20 million calls a day should allow a few people to enjoy a peaceful dinner. Visit anti206thread to see the history of this fight.

Telemarketer CTC Marketing takes over where Guardian Communications left off

2007-04-04T01:41:00.000-04:00

231 224 2054 (CTC Marketing) illegal survey from
United Public Opinion Group.
Robert Johnson pres.
110 West 9th. Street Room 934
Wilmington, DE 19801.
302 661 1390 (Disc)
Call offers two free cruise tickets for answering ten questions. Many calls in violation of DNC laws in US and Canada.

231 224 2050 (Fremont MI / CTC Marketing) Pre-recorded calls about saving money on credit card interest rates. The operator would only say Accounts Management when I asked the name of the company. He said it was in the "DSW Area" Texas. He hung up when I asked for an address.

Still looking for information on CTC Marketing. It may be a fake name. It is definitely not the CTC marketing (Coast To Coast) that sells insurance in Michigan. If you have any info. on this company please post.

They also use 231 224 2056, 231 224 2058, 231 224 2057, 231 224 2053, 231 224 2051, 616 980 2196, 616 980 2188, 231 224 2055, 616 980 2191, 702 481 0998, 803 477 0543, 302 290 5165

Report all illegal calls to your Attorney General and the FTC.

Telemarketer Guardian Communications cited by FCC

2006-09-02T04:37:00.000-04:00

*Pages 1--4 from Microsoft Word - 59360.doc*
Federal Communications Commission DA 06- 1726
August 30, 2006
VIA CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Guardian Communications, Inc.
Attn: Kevin Baker, President
3322 38 th Avenue Moline, IL 61625
RE: EB- 06- TC- 157
Dear Mr. Baker: This is an official CITATION, issued pursuant to section 503( b)( 5) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Act), 47 U. S. C. § 503( b)( 5), for violations of the Act and the Federal Communications Commission’s rules that govern telephone solicitations and unsolicited advertisements. 1 As explained below, future violations of the Act or Commission’s rules in this regard may subject you and your company to monetary forfeitures. It has come to our attention that your company, acting under your direction, has delivered one or more prerecorded messages to a residential telephone line or lines in violation of section 227( b)( 1)( B) of the Act and section 64.1200( a)( 2) of the Commission’s rules, as described in the attached complaint( s). 2 Under Section 227( b)( 1)( B) of the Act and section 64.1200( a)( 2) of the Commission’s rules, it is unlawful for any person within the United States, or any person outside the United States if the recipient is within the United States . . . to initiate any telephone call to any residential telephone line using an artificial or prerecorded voice to deliver a message without the prior express consent of the called party, unless the call 1 47 U. S. C. § 227; 47 C. F. R. § 64. 1200. A copy of these provisions is enclosed for your convenience. Section 227 was added to the Communications Act by the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 and is most commonly known as the TCPA. The TCPA and the Commission’s parallel rules restrict a variety of practices that are associated with telephone solicitation and use of the telephone network to deliver unsolicited advertisements, including prerecorded messages to residential telephone lines. We refer in this citation to the Commission’s rules as they existed at the time of the violations in this matter. Revised rules in this area took effect on August 1, 2006. 2 We have attached the 3 complaints at issue in this citation. At least 12 additional similar complaints are not attached but are available from the FCC’s complaint database.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20554 1 Federal Communications Commission DA 06- 1726 2 (i) Is made for emergency purposes, 3 (ii) Is not made for a commercial purpose, (iii) Is made for a commercial purpose but does not include or introduce an unsolicited advertisement 4 or constitute a telephone solicitation, 5 (iv) Is made to any person with whom the caller has an established business relationship 6 at the time the call is made, or (v) Is made by or on behalf of a tax- exempt nonprofit organization. Accordingly, it is generally unlawful to use an artificial or prerecorded voice to deliver an advertisement or telephone solicitation to a residential telephone line unless the call is made: (1) by or on behalf of a tax- exempt nonprofit organization; (2) with the prior express consent of the called party; or (3) to a person who has an established business relationship with the caller. The attached information indicates that your company, acting under your direction, delivered an unsolicited advertisement or telephone solicitation, through a prerecorded message, to one or more residential telephone subscribers who either (1) had not expressly invited or 3 The term “emergency purposes” means calls made necessary in any situation affecting the health and safety of consumers.” 47 C. F. R. § 64. 1200( f)( 2). 4 The term “unsolicited advertisement” means “any material advertising the commercial availability or quality of any property, goods, or services which is transmitted to any person without that person’s prior express invitation or permission.” 47 U. S. C.§ 227( a)( 4); 47 C. F. R. § 64. 1200( f)( 10). 5 The term “telephone solicitation” means the initiation of a telephone call or message for the purpose of encouraging the purchase or rental of, or investment in, property, goods, or services, which is transmitted to any person, but such term does not include a call or message: (i) To any person with that person's prior express invitation or permission; (ii) To any person with whom the caller has an established business relationship; or (iii) By or on behalf of a tax- exempt nonprofit organization. 47 U. S. C. § 227( a)( 3); 47 C. F. R.§ 64. 1200( f)( 9). 6 The term “established business relationship” means a prior or existing relationship formed by a voluntary two- way communication between a person or entity and a residential subscriber with or without an exchange of consideration, on the basis of the subscriber's purchase or transaction with the entity within the eighteen (18) months immediately preceding the date of the telephone call or on the basis of the subscriber's inquiry or application regarding products or services offered by the entity within the three months immediately preceding the date of the call, which relationship has not been previously terminated by either party. (i) The subscriber's seller- specific do- not- call request, as set forth in paragraph (d)( 3) of this section, terminates an established business relationship for purposes of telemarketing and telephone solicitation even if the subscriber continues to do business with the seller. (ii) The subscriber's established business relationship with a particular business entity does not extend to affiliated entities unless the subscriber would reasonably expect them to be included given the nature and type of goods or services offered by the affiliate and the identity of the affiliate. 47 C. F. R. § 64. 1200( f)( 3) 2 Federal Communications Commission DA 06- 1726 3 authorized the call( s) or (2) did not have an established business relationship with you or your company (a transaction within 18 months prior to the call( s), or an inquiry or application within 3 months prior to the call( s)).
As explained above, this action violates section 227( b)( 1)( B) of the Communications Act and section 64.1200( a)( 2) of the Commission’s rules. Separately, it appears that you and your company have also violated other Commission rules that govern all prerecorded messages. Under section 64.1200( b), prerecorded messages must, at the beginning of the message, state clearly the identity of the business (the name under which the business is registered to conduct business with the State Corporation Commission or comparable regulatory authority), individual, or other entity that is responsible for initiating the call. In addition, the telephone number 7 or address of such business, or individual, or other entity must be provided either during or after the prerecorded message. According to the attached information received by the Commission, it appears that your telephone solicitation( s) did not contain all of the required information.
If, after receipt of this citation, you or your company violate the Communications Act or the Commission’s rules in any manner described herein, the Commission may impose monetary forfeitures not to exceed $11,000 for each such violation or each day of a continuing violation. 8 You may respond to this citation within 30 days from the date of this letter either through (1) a personal interview at the Commission’s Field Office nearest to your place of business, or (2) a written statement. Your response should specify the actions that you are taking to ensure that you do not violate the Commission’s rules governing telephone solicitation and unsolicited advertisements, as described above. The nearest Commission field office appears to be the Chicago Office in Park Ridge, IL, 60068- 1460; please contact Al McCloud at (202) 418- 2499 if you wish to schedule a personal interview. You should schedule any interview to take place within 30 days of the date of this letter. You should send any written statement within 30 days of the date of this letter to: 7 Any telephone number so provided may not be for (1) an autodialer or prerecorded message player that placed the call, (2) a 900 number, or (3) any other number for which charges exceed local or long distance transmission charges. In addition, any such telephone number provided in connection with prerecorded sales message to a residential telephone subscriber must permit any individual to make a do- not- call request during regular business hours for the duration of the telemarketing campaign. 8 See 47 C. F. R. § 1.80( b)( 3). 3 Federal Communications Commission DA 06- 1726 4
Kurt A. Schroeder
Deputy Chief Telecommunications Consumers Division Enforcement Bureau Federal Communications Commission
445- 12 th Street, S. W. Rm. 4- C222 Washington, D. C. 20554
Reference EB- 06- TC- 157 when corresponding with the Commission. Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Include a description of the accommodation you will need including as much detail as you can. Also include a way we can contact you if we need more information. Please allow at least 5 days advance notice; last minute requests will be accepted, but may be impossible to fill. Send an e-mail to fcc504@ fcc. gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau: For sign language interpreters, CART, and other reasonable accommodations: 202- 418- 0530 (voice), 202- 418- 0432 (tty); For accessible format materials (braille, large print, electronic files, and audio format): 202- 418- 0531 (voice), 202- 418- 7365 (tty). Under the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U. S. C. § 552( a)( e)( 3), we are informing you that the Commission’s staff will use all relevant material information before it, including information that you disclose in your interview or written statement, to determine what, if any, enforcement action is required to ensure your compliance with the Communications Act and the Commission’s rules. The knowing and willful making of any false statement, or the concealment of any material fact, in reply to this citation is punishable by fine or imprisonment under 18 U. S. C. § 1001.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation.
Sincerely, Kurt A. Schroeder
Deputy Chief Telecommunications Consumers Division Enforcement Bureau

Marathon Communications (800 919 1000) continues to provide numbers for illegal telemarketers

2006-06-13T02:51:00.000-04:00

Posted at Pay Phone site.

TOPIC - 206-415-9126
DATE - 06/12/06 13:46:48
FROM - dirty PA

I saw there were several other complaints regarding this number so I figured I'd share my fun afternoon with the rest of you.

I received a call from "Health Care" this afternoon. The only reason I've been answering these types of calls lately is because we recently changed our phone number due to a lovely stalking incident. The number change was long enough ago for our registration with the national DNC list to take effect but not quite long enough for the PA list to go into effect. Since we are registered on the national DNC list I have already filed a complaint about "Health Care." Hopefully there are enough others that do the same so that some action is taken.

Anyhow, when I answered I pressed "1" as instructed because I figured maybe they were looking for the old guy who used to have our number....... I asked that they remove us from their database to which I got a quick, "yeah sure" from Mr. Intelligent. I then asked the name of the company. This was received with a "Hello? Hello?" and then a dial tone... as if that fucker didn't hear me lol. I then tried calling back but all you get is a pre-recorded message asking you to put your phone number in so they can remove you. Yeah right... more like sell your good number to some other scammers. I opted instead to start pushing random numbers in and then confirming that it was "correct."

Since I was bored I continued to do this for the next hour as I surfed the net. I really had nothing better to do this afternoon so it was a great way to pass the time :D

I googled the number and found this place which was quite helpful since someone was nice enough to post the 800# for the company that sells these scammers service. I called the company up and pressed "0" for the operator. Of course she wasn't available though. I called back and pressed "7" for info about their auto-dialer service (!!!) and spoke to a "wonderful representative. When I asked her if she could give me the name of the company that this 206# belonged to she informed me that it would be illegal for her to give me that information. I guess it isn't illegal for said company to harass someone registered on the DNC list though.

Well, I'm sure you can imagine how happy she was to hear that. I let her know that her "privacy only matters to us" company has been reported. She asked for my phone number so that she could place us on her DNC list. Yeah, sure. I'll get right on that one. I told her no because I really didn't feel like being harassed even more when she sold our number to even more scammers. She really didn't care for that either....

You know, I really hate fuckers like this. It's okay for them to call us but god forbid they identify themselves. I hope hell has a special place where they are repeatedly anally raped by rotary phones. Seems only right...

Telemarketer Guardian Communications pays fine for making illegal "homosexual agenda" calls

2006-05-11T00:32:00.000-04:00

Posted at KOTV-The News on 6
Oklahoma AG Drew Edmondson Reaches Agreement With Telemarketing Company

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson has reached an agreement with an Illinois telemarketing company as part of his investigation of a political consultant.Officials say Guardian Communications Incorporated will pay a $3,000 civil penalty and won't face any legal action.Edmondson filed a civil lawsuit last week accusing consultant Tim Pope of violating provisions of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.The act requires all prerecorded telephone messages to identify who is responsible for the call.Pope acknowledged in The Oklahoman in January he paid for 20,000 calls accusing Oklahoma County Commissioner Jim Roth of "advancing the homosexual agenda in Oklahoma County."The lawsuit seeks a $500 fine for each call, meaning Pope could be ordered to pay $10-million.

Marathon Communcations continues to provide numbers for illegal surveys

2006-04-12T18:55:00.000-04:00

Posted at TelemarketingFAQ

I Live in Seattle
Junior Member

Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1

206 - Marathon - Markata -Manor House - 42 Holdings update

I guess I should have registered before making my previous post.I paid a visit to Marathon Communications today, about 20 minutes away. I served them a cease and desist letter and they were happy to oblige and give me the information I was seeking.Paul Revere Marketing is directly reposible for the following "companies"
206-278-8878 -- 42 HOLDINGS
206-278-8980 -- MARKATA
206-278-9544 -- AZ SURVEY
253-218-3412 -- K AND V SURVEYS
425-256-3739 -- MANOR HOUSE
425-256-3737 -- MHWC
253-218-3406 -- MY FIRST SURVEY
425-256-3738 -- DOUBLE EAGLE D
206-415-8733 -- AGUAYO CONSULT
360-362-5413 -- AZ SURVEY
360-362-5395 -- MUSTANG HOLDING

Paul Revere Marketing can be found at http://www.paulreveremarketing.com
Paul Revere Marketing, LLC
14362 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd Suite 1000 Scottsdale, AZ 85260
602 692 1131
I spoke with Greg Garbero who is the agent registered with Marathon for Paul Revere.Greg can be reached at 602-692-1131 or fax at 1-866-473-4439 or EMAIL AT Greg@paulreveremarketing.com
Anyone want to see pictures of my visit to Marathon?

Debt Solutions sued again (208 629 5001) Prerecorded message:" Hi, this is Karen McCarthy with Debt Solutions."

2006-03-22T18:10:00.000-05:00

'Debt Elimination Program' Fails to Deliver Guaranteed Lower Interest Rates

Telemarketers Also Violate Do Not Call Rule

The Federal Trade Commission and the Washington State Attorney General have asked a federal judge to order Debt Solutions Inc. and three other telemarketers in Washington and Florida to stop charging consumers hundreds of dollars for a “debt elimination program” that offers a false promise of substantially reduced interest rates and thousands of dollars in savings. The agencies jointly filed the action in U. S. District Court in Seattle, seeking an injunction against them and refund of monies paid for violations of Section 5(a) of the FTC Act, the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR), and Washington’s Consumer Protection Act.
“The defendants’ so-called ‘debt elimination program’ was not the answer for consumers who found themselves in financial hot water,” said Lydia Parnes, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “There are a variety of legitimate options to reduce debt, including more realistic budgeting, credit counseling from reputable organizations, debt consolidation programs, and, if need be, filing for bankruptcy. In every case, though, people should be wary of any business that claims it can negotiate substantially lower interest rates on credit cards and loans.”
According to the FTC and the State of Washington’s complaint, since at least 2002, Debt Solutions Inc., DSI Financial Inc., DSI Direct Inc., Pacific Consolidation Services Inc., Kenneth Schwartz, Jennifer Ruth Whalen, David C. Schwartz, and Greg Moses have telemarketed and sold what they call a debt elimination program by making unsolicited phone calls to consumers nationwide, and by marketing the program on several Internet Web sites, including www.debt2wealth.com and www.acceleratedfinancialinc.com. The complaint alleges that the defendants falsely represented to consumers that they would be assigned a financial consultant whose special relationships with creditors will enable the consultant to negotiate substantially lower interest rates, saving consumers thousands of dollars, reducing their monthly payments, and paying off their debts three to five times faster–all without higher monthly payments. In fact,according to the complaint, consumers who purchase the program typically do not have theirinterest rates lowered at all, and, if they do, the reductions are rarely more than one percentage point.
Consumers are promised a full refund if they do not save at least $2,500, but few consumers have received the guaranteed refund, according to the agencies’ complaint. Before buying the program for $399 to $629, the complaint alleges, consumers are not told that the promised savings may take decades to achieve, or that most of the savings will result from simply paying more money every month, not from reduced interest rates. The defendants also claim the program is endorsed by the Financial Standards Council in Canada and the Registered Financial Planners Institute of North America, but both claims are false, according to the complaint.
The FTC and the State of Washington’s complaint alleges that the defendants violated Section 5(a) of the FTC Act by falsely representing that purchasers will (1) save thousands of dollars in a short time; (2) have credit card and loan interest rates reduced substantially; (3) pay off their debt much faster without higher monthly payments; and (4) reduce their monthly credit card and loan payments. The complaint also alleges that they falsely represent that they have special relationships with credit card companies and lenders, and that their program is endorsed by the two organizations mentioned above. It also alleges that they misrepresented their money-back guarantee.
The complaint further alleges that the defendants violated the TSR and Washington state law by misrepresenting projected savings, failing to disclose the limits of their money-back guarantee, calling phone numbers listed on the Do Not Call Registry, failing to pay the required annual fee for access to DNC-listed numbers, and calling persons who had asked them to stop calling. The defendants also violated Washington state law by engaging in unfair or deceptive acts or practices and unfair methods of competition.

Verizon sues Spanish-message telemarketer

2006-02-14T14:12:00.000-05:00

Verizon Wireless Continues Campaign To Defend Customers' Privacy With Legal Action Against Two Telemarketers

First Lawsuit to Allege Telemarketing Firm Spammed Verizon Wireless Customers with Spanish-language Calls

BEDMINSTER, N.J., Feb. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless, owner and operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, once again is standing up for the privacy rights of its customers with two new lawsuits that charge telemarketing companies with illegal solicitation of wireless phone customers. Both lawsuits were filed today in state Superior Court in Somerville, N.J. and claim the companies' actions violate the Federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act as well as state fraud and privacy laws.

In the first lawsuit, believed to be the first of its kind involving Spanish-language messages, Verizon Wireless is seeking an injunction against All Star Vacations and Marketing Group, Inc. of Miami, Fla. and Travel and Tours Marketing, Inc. of Orlando, Fla. During November and December 2005 alone, more than 500,000 calls apparently using auto-dialers and pre-recorded messages in Spanish were made to Verizon Wireless customers on behalf of these companies. The pre-recorded messages in Spanish indicated the customer had won a trip to one of several resort locations and directed the customer to call a toll-free number to claim their prize.

In the second lawsuit, Verizon Wireless is seeking an injunction against Cambridge Marketing and Financial Services, Inc. of Deland, Fla., which apparently made thousands of calls to cell phone customers using auto-dialers and pre-recorded messages. Unsuspecting customers and employees received multiple calls on their wireless phones in which a pre-recorded voice left a message that indicated the customer had won a Ford Explorer and directed them to call a toll-free number to claim their prize.
Steven Zipperstein, vice president and general counsel of Verizon Wireless, said, "These unlawful telemarketing calls invade the privacy of Verizon Wireless' customers, and whether in English or Spanish, we will not tolerate actions from any company that put our customers' privacy in jeopardy."
In addition to seeking injunctions against All Star Vacations, Travel and Tours Marketing, and Cambridge Marketing and Financial Services to prohibit the continued use of the illegal telemarketing practices, Verizon Wireless is also asking the court to award monetary damages.

The company's record of protecting customer privacy puts Verizon Wireless at the forefront of the U.S. wireless industry. Over the past several months, Verizon Wireless has won permanent injunctions against other companies that have engaged in illegal telemarketing to Verizon Wireless customers, spammed Verizon Wireless customers with unsolicited text messages and that have attempted to obtain information about Verizon Wireless customers to sell to third parties.

Telemarketer Blacklist

2006-01-28T04:27:00.000-05:00

Posted at CallCap Blacklist

CallCap BlackList. A list of telephone numbers that have been identified as telemarketers by SITA Laboratories, Inc. dba CallCap, its customers, and vistors to the CallCap Website. Use this list at your own risk, it is provided on an "AS IS" basis and SITA LABORATORIES, INC. DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY WARRANTY THAT THE USE OF THE INFORMATION HEREIN WILL NOT INFRINGE ANY RIGHTS OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. This information may not be modified or redistributed or used for any commercial purpose without the prior written consent of SITA Laboratories, Inc

206 415 8915
206 278 9157
206 278 9723
206 278 9097
206 415 9229
206 415 8547
231 224 2015
206 278 8663
206 336 5668
206 278 8899
206 278 9103
206 278 9554
206 278 9296
231 224 2018
206 415 8829
206 278 8659
269 537 2030
269 426 1441
253 218 3411
253 218 3410
231 224 2012
269 349 1239
206 441 0000
206 415 8503
206 278 0009
231 224 2050
206 674 3000
206 288 2801
206 629 8617
206 666 7278
206 774 7670
206 629 8624
206 629 8619
206 629 8616
206 629 8613
206 438 0500
206 415 9126
206 415 8829
206 415 8556
206 278 9412
206 278 0062

Texas issues DNC warning to Dish Network

2006-01-17T03:00:00.000-05:00

Posted at San Antoino Business Journal

PUC issues warning to Dish Network over do-not-call violations
Catherine Dominguez

Satellite television provider Dish Network has 20 days to rectify or contest allegations that they violated Texas No-Call list regulations over a nine-month period in 2005.

» DISH Network

In a Jan. 3 letter, legal staff members of the Public Utility Commission of Texas notified the Englewood, Colo.-based company, which provides services in San Antonio, that the regulator had received numerous reports of violations from Texas residents.
If the company is found to have indeed violated the Texas Business and Commerce Code's No-Call list regulations, it could be fined $1,000 for each violation. Additionally, the letter states that Dish Network failed to purchase the Texas No-Call lists published in March, June and September 2005.
According to the PUC Substantive Rule 26.37 (d)(2), telemarketers are required to purchase the Texas No-Call list, which is published every 60 days. Failing to purchase the list carries a fine of $750 for each violation.
The Texas No-Call list was established through Texas House Bill 210 and became effective in January 2002. The law allows a Texas resident to place his or her name, address and telephone number on this list, to identify themselves as a consumer who does not wish to receive telemarketing calls. The list prevents telephone solicitations to residential and wireless phone numbers from all telemarketers operating in Texas.
Serious warning
According to a memorandum sent by PUC staff members to W. Lane Lanford, executive director of the PUC, this is not the first time the company has violated the statute.
"Commission staff issued a letter to Dish Network in February 2005 reminding the company of its obligation related to the Texas No-Call list and warning the company that additional non-compliance could lead to an enforcement action by the commission," the memorandum states. "Since the issuance of that letter, staff has determined that Dish Network has continued to engage in telemarketing activities and, based upon information received from customer complaints, made 14 prohibited calls during the period March 2005 to November 2005."

The company could face a fine up to $17,000 for the violations.
"Now that this letter has been sent to us, we will investigate (the allegations)," says Marc Lumpkin, spokesman for Dish Network. "Our legal department will get involved and investigate it."
Lumpkin says Dish operates two large call centers in Texas located in Harlingen and El Paso, but says the company does not make telemarketing calls from those locations. He explains that Dish Network has independent satellite television retailers throughout the state that purchase Dish Network equipment and resell it. Dish Network customers subscribe to their satellite service through those retailers.
Some of those retailers do make telemarketing calls and, Lumpkin adds, have violated the Texas No-Call list in the past despite Dish Network's efforts to follow all rules and regulations of the state.
"We educated them on that," he says. "They have to follow all laws. They have to adhere to all local, state and national codes regarding do-not-call lists and they cannot violate them. If they do, they face possible termination as a Dish Network retailer."
Lumpkin says Dish Network, as a company, follows state do-not-call list regulations. He said exceptions to the laws allow the company to call current and former customers, including those with outstanding statements.
"As a general rule, we don't call out (to new customers). We take call-ins," Lumpkin says. "The independent retailers do all sorts of marketing activities."
Dish Network, an EchoStar Communication Corp. subsidiary, provides Direct Broadcast Satellite television products and services to 12 million customers nationwide.

Latest (206) telemarketer numbers

2006-01-07T03:53:00.000-05:00

(206 278 8691) (206 278 8803) from telemarketers trying to sell Dell computer services.
Posted at Dell Online Chat Security
More about these numbers at Portland Ind. Media Center (see Aug.2005)
If anybody has any info. please post.

Dish Network still telemarketing.
(734 298 7802) private is from Dish Network (888 332 1486). An illegal recorded message,with no call back number, no live operator etc. Telemarketer argued that he was not violating DNC because I called him. When I said no you called me. He said that because I pressed one, that I called him. Its hard to believe after DirecTV paying 5.3 million to the FTC that Dish Network would continue to do the same thing.

(972 385 9433) Dallas Tx is from Direct Dish, no way to get on DNC list when you call and voice mail is always full.

(206 415 8554) is from Telemarketing Concepts
80 Triangle Center, Yorktown Heights NY 10598
call 800 666 0858
914 245 0701
914 245 0655 posted at Tim's Rants
.
Illegal surveys:214 446 1901) CMI (214 446 1605) Nexcall (214 446 1622) Manor Hse Assoc. (425 256 3734) Cookies Extreme, recorded message “asking if I wanted more info on charities to which to donate”. (425 256 3734) Double Eagle D, recorded message “a public service message” to “ stay fit and exercise”. (206 415 8733) “Mortgage questionnaire”. (206 415 9499) recorded message advises that I can get a “flu shot at a local county clinic” then disconnects. (253 218 3406) My first survey, (253 218 3412) (253 218 3413) K&V Surveys.

These calls may be from Intelius- Bellvue WA, an online reference service specializing in locating people. They also provide telemarketing lists. They probably use the fake surveys to gather info. Call 877 974 1500 to complain. If anybody has information, please post.

Posted at DMA
DMA Releases Latest Ethics Report; Refers Listing Service to FCC

December 20, 2005 –
The Direct Marketing Association’s (DMA) Committee on Ethical Business Practice reports that three companies, none of which are DMA members, failed to cooperate with DMA when asked respond to DMA’s request for information on their business practices in an attempt to reach appropriate complaint resolutions.

In addition, one of the three companies, SND Marketing Listing Service of Spring, TX, was referred to the Federal Communications Commission for possible action.
"The vast majority of cases reviewed by DMA’s Ethics Committees are resolved,” said Patricia Kachura, senior vice president for ethics and consumer affairs at DMA. “When companies fail to cooperate with DMA and the Committees suspect a possible legal violation, it is our policy to refer these companies to federal and state agencies for appropriate action, and that is what we are doing today.”

The following companies failed to cooperate with DMA’s Committee on Ethical Business Practice:
Intelius of Bellevue, WA, an online reference service specializing in locating individuals. The DMA Committee on Ethical Business Practice alleged that the company failed to confirm that sources of information for the reference service do not include marketing data, or whether and how consumers can remove their names from the service.

Primary Issues of Concern Based on 20 Current Cases:

1) Marketing information should not be used in individual look-up or reference services. Online reference services should not include information relating to consumers’ marketing transactions. Consumers would not reasonably expect that information about what they purchased, or how they responded in a marketing survey, would result in their inclusion in an online look-up service.

DirecTV fined again

2005-12-19T17:30:00.000-05:00

Mediapost writes
DirecTV Fined For Aggressive Telemarketing Practices
by Wayne Friedman, Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005 8:04 AM EST

DIRECTV HAS BEEN PENALIZED FOR overly aggressive marketing. The News Corp.-satellite distributor will pay more than $10 million in fines for violation of a number of telephone marketing practices, including the federally mandated "do-not-call" phone lists.
The fines come in two parts. The most recent comes from settling a complaint yesterday lodged by the Justice Department for the Federal Trade Commission.
DirecTV agreed to pay $5.3 million in fines. On Monday, DirecTV agreed to pay $5 million to New York and 21 other states, and restitution to consumers, to settle complaints against its marketing practices.
The do-not-call list was launched in 2003, and now has 110 million phone numbers of consumers. Telemarketers are able to download the DNC list at www.donotcall.gov--all so they will avoid calling these numbers.
DirecTV denied any violations of the telemarketing rules, but paid the money and agreed not to repeat the unwanted calls.
The FTC said there were thousands of violations in reference to the DirecTV marketing efforts.

DirecTV fined $5.3 million

2005-12-13T14:26:00.000-05:00

Not sure if this is related to the Guardian Communications case. If anybody has info on the numbers these companies used, please post.

Posted at FTC site
Directv to Pay $5.3 Million Penalty For Do Not Call Violations
Penalty is Largest Ever for Violation of the Do Not Call Law
Satellite television provider DIRECTV will pay $5,335,000 to settle FTC charges that, since October 2003, DIRECTV and companies it hired to promote DIRECTV programming have been violating the Do Not Call (DNC) provisions of the Commission’s Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR). This is the largest civil penalty the FTC has ever announced in a case enforcing any consumer protection law.
At the Commission’s request, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed the complaint and stipulated settlements in Federal District Court in Los Angeles. The complaint names as defendants DIRECTV, five firms that telemarketed on its behalf, and six principals of those telemarketing firms. Settlements with DIRECTV and two of the telemarketing firms and their principals were filed along with the complaint.
“This multimillion dollar penalty drives home a simple point: Sellers are on the hook for calls placed on their behalf,” said Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras. “The Do Not Call Rule applies to all players in the marketing chain, including retailers and their telemarketers.”
The Complaint
The complaint alleges that telemarketers calling on behalf of DIRECTV contacted consumers on the National DNC Registry. In addition, the complaint alleges that one of the telemarketers – Global Satellite, directly or through another entity – abandoned calls to consumers by failing to put a live sales representative on the line within two seconds after the called consumer completes his or her greeting, as required under the law.
Finally, the complaint alleges that DIRECTV provided substantial assistance and support to Global Satellite, even though it knew or consciously avoided knowing, that Global Satellite was violating the TSR.
Terms of the Court Orders
The FTC announced proposed stipulated final orders with DIRECTV and two telemarketers, Communications Concepts and its principal and American Communications of the Triad and its principal.
The first order requires DIRECTV to pay $5,335,000 in civil penalties. The proposed settlement agreement also prohibits DIRECTV, whether acting directly or through its authorized telemarketers, from violating the TSR. The proposed settlement tracks the relevant Telemarketing Sales Rule provisions, prohibiting calls to consumers on the DNC Registry, calls to consumers who asked not to receive calls on behalf of a particular seller, and abandoned calls.
The proposed settlement also requires DIRECTV to terminate any marketer of its products who DIRECTV knows or should know is making cold calls to consumers without express, written authorization from DIRECTV. The proposed settlement also prohibits DIRECTV from assisting and facilitating any telemarketer it knows or consciously avoids knowing is violating the Telemarketing Sales Rule. Finally, the proposed settlement imposes extensive monitoring requirements on DIRECTV mandating that the company oversee those marketers selling its goods or services.
The orders against Communication Concepts and American Communications require the companies to pay civil penalties of $25,000 and $50,000, respectively and bar both companies and their principals from future violations of the TSR and its component DNC Rule. The orders contain judgments of $205,000 against Communications Concepts and $746,300 against American Communications, both which have been suspended based on those companies’ inability to pay.
Settling Defendants and Ongoing Litigation
The proposed settlements announced today, if adopted by the court, would settle the Commission’s complaint and end its litigation against the following five defendants: DIRECTV, Inc.; Communication Concepts, LLC, also doing business as (dba) Rogers Group; Jim Turner, individually and as an officer of Communication Concepts; American Communications of the Triad; and Michael Gibson, individually and as an officer of American Communications of the Triad.
Litigation continues with the following seven defendants: D.R.D., Inc., also dba Power Direct; Daniel R. Delfino, individually and as an officer of D.R.D.; Nomrah Records, also dba Direct Activation; Mark Harmon, individually and as an officer of Nomrah Records; Global Satellite, LLC., also dba Mavcomm; William King, individually and as an officer of Global Satellite; and Michael Gleason, individually and as an officer of Global Satellite.
The Commission vote approving the complaint against DIRECTV and the five corporate defendants and their principals was 4-0, as was the vote to approve the stipulated final orders against DIRECTV and the two corporate defendants and their principals. The complaint and stipulated final orders were filed by the DOJ on the FTC’s behalf on December 12, 2005, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division.

Interesting discussion at slashdot.
My comment

Re:Federal government should follow Florida's lead(Score:1)
by anti206 (938898) on Thursday December 15, @11:20PM (#14269871)
I have been fighting telemarketers for 5 months now and its great to see the FTC finally get involved. My main problem came from telemarketers using a 206 area code. A Seattle phone company, Marathon Communications (800 919 1000), provides phone numbers and acts as a buffer for the telemarketers. They use a fake name on caller ID (TMC,card services,Sat.inc etc) and a fake number you can't call back (206 415 8940,206 415 8880, 206 415 8547 etc). When you call Marathon they won't give you the identity of the business that called you unless you subpoena them, which is what my Attorney General did. One company was Guardian Communications (309 277 1222) 3322 38th.ave Moline IL.61265. They called people on the DNC list, used illegal recorded messages, and called cell phones. They sold the numbers they got to DirecTV and Dish Network. North Carolina sued them for this two weeks ago. Calls from illegal telemarketers are a huge problem and the DirecTV case is just the tip of the iceberg. Visit http://www.anti206.blogspot.com/ [blogspot.com] for more info. or to join the antitelemarketer fight.

Guardian Communications sued again

2005-12-01T21:28:00.000-05:00

Guardian Communications (309 277 1222) the illegal telemarketer behind the majority of (206) calls has been sued by the North Carolina Attorney General. Lets hope more states follow suit. Call your Attorney General and file a complaint. Click here for more info. National Association of Attorney Generals

Posted at WFMY News 2

Attorney General Hangs Up A Telemarketer

The Attorney General puts a stop to a telemarketer calling local residents with a pre-recorded message.
Raleigh, NC -- An Illinois telemarketer that made illegal prerecorded calls to collect information about potential customers and then sold it to satellite television dealers has been ordered to stop calling people in North Carolina, Attorney General Roy Cooper announced today."This telemarketer bothered people who'd made it clear they didn't want to get sales calls at home," said Cooper. "Not only were these calls illegal, but the telemarketers weren't even selling what they were pitching. Instead, they were trolling for potential customers so they could turn around and sell their names to another company."In a preliminary injunction granted today in Wake County Superior Court by Judge Donald W. Stephens, Guardian Communications of Moline, Illinois is barred from calling North Carolinians while the case goes forward. Cooper's office is also seeking to permanently stop Guardian's telemarketing calls into the state and make them pay fines and penalties. In a complaint filed in Wake County Superior Court this week by Cooper's office, Guardian Communications is alleged to have called North Carolina homes to pitch satellite television service using illegal tactics such as prerecorded messages and calling numbers listed on the Do Not Call Registry. The company, which does not actually provide satellite service, then sold the information it collected about people to satellite firms who were looking for potential customers. One consumer from Summerfield, NC described the call she got from Guardian in March 2005: "When I said 'Hello' no one responded," she said. "After a delay, a sales representative continued to speak in the same speed and tone. It was obviously a pre-recorded message and I hung up immediately." Under North Carolina law, prerecorded telemarketing calls are illegal unless a live operator first asks if the consumer wishes to listen to the message.North Carolina's case against Guardian was brought by Cooper's Telemarketing Fraud Task Force, funded by a grant from the US Department of Justice. Since the Do Not Call Registry began in 2003, Cooper's Task Force has taken dozens of telemarketers to court for breaking Do Not Call laws and recovered more than $250,000 from violators."When someone puts their phone number on the Do Not Call list, companies need to respect their wishes and stop calling. If you've placed your number on the list but still get calls, let my office know about it," said Cooper. To report Do Not Call violators, call the Attorney General's Office at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM. To place your number on the Do Not Call Registry, call (888) 382-1222 from the number you wish to register or visit the state's "Do Not Call" website.

2005-11-19T00:17:00.000-05:00

Latest (206) telemarketer numbers. (206 278 0009) TV SURVEY, (206 278 0028) Eyewitness, (206 415 8739) is really Coast to Coast Marketing (619 279 7460), (thanks Steve Hess), (206 278 8978) BANCOFAINS is Bank of America Insurance, (206 278 9169) Markata Group, (214 446 1900) (214 446 1901) Markata Group, (214 446 1600) Markata Group, (214 446 1608) K&V Surveys, (214 446 1922) 42 Holdings, (214 446 1978) Data Marketing, (206 278 9010) Health Benefits, (269 537 2033) GCI (269 537 2031) GCI (616 980 2910) GCI (231 224 2009) GCI.
The Markata Group calls are a fake automated survey (about the government).Messages do not include a callback number which is a TCPA violation. K&V Surveys, 42 Holdings, and Data Marketing are probably all fake names for the same fake company. These surveys may be a way for telemarketers to find good numbers. Check out azurelunatic for more info.
Bank of America is just trying to sell insurance. The number is valid and they will put you on their DNC when you call back. Make sure you complain about their telemarketing when you call. If you have an account threaten to cancel it. Remember, the "established business relationship" that allows them to get around the DNC is canceled once you ask to be put on their internal DNC list.
(231 224 2009) GCI is an illegal recorded message "to lower credit card rates". This may be from Guardian Communications (309 277 1222).
For more examples of the ongoing battle with (206) telemarketers visit my (206 278 9390/ 206 415 8940...) thread at antitelemarketer.com. This site is down right now (11/23/05) hopefully they will pay their bills and be back.
Many people also post at payphone-directory.org and telemarketerFAQ (see Links). Double Reading, Unplannedthought.com, and Mikes Blog are no longer active but contain some excellent posts detailing the history of this problem. To see all the related posts, google the number that called you, "206 415 9327" for example. Then click on any links. If you want to join the anti206 telemarketer fight or have any helpful suggestions, please post here.

2005-09-29T23:42:00.000-04:00

Latest (206) telemarketer numbers. (206 415 8482) teamtec (231 224 2018) GCI (206 278 9031) Reservation Co (269 537 2029) (269 537 2028) (269 537 2027) (231 224 2000) last four all (customer service).

Anti206 got a mention in the Wall Street Journal. Just a matter of time until someone in the mainstream media does a story on this problem.

Do-Not-Call Lists Under Fire
After Two Years and One Million Complaints,Only Six Federal Fines Have Been Issued
By CHRISTOPHER CONKEY Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNALSeptember 28, 2005; Page D1
Two years after the National Do Not Call Registry took effect -- and with more than 100 million numbers enrolled -- dinner-time conversations are still being interrupted by telemarketing calls.
Regulators say the system is working, but a recent random survey (by telephone) by the Customer Care Alliance, a Virginia-based consortium of three customer-relations consultants, found that 51% of registered consumers say they're still getting calls they think the list is supposed to block. Lois Greisman, the Federal Trade Commission official in charge of the registry, says the agency receives a "steady flow" of between 1,000 and 2,000 complaints about telemarketers every day.
Yet to date, there have been remarkably few fines issued by federal regulators. Despite one million reports of violations, the FTC has filed only 14 lawsuits and levied only four fines. The Federal Communications Commission, which jointly administers the program with the FTC, has issued warnings but only two fines, one to AT&T Corp., the company with the contract for administering the program.
Ms. Greisman defends the FTC's enforcement record and says that only a small minority of telemarketers break the rules. Her counterpart at the FCC, Monica Desai, says, "Consumers who have registered are getting fewer calls and, in cases where there are violations, the FCC and FTC have been enforcing the rules."
Now, a fresh fight is brewing over which calls are restricted and which ones aren't. Twenty-five states maintain their own do-not-call lists, and many of them impose tougher restrictions on the kinds of calls that telemarketers can make.
As a result, a number of states view the national registry as a weaker tool that undercuts their more stringent protections, and some have been more eager to impose penalties for violations. Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, for example, has filed more than 110 lawsuits against companies that have run afoul of its registry, which, unlike the national list, doesn't permit prerecorded messages.
But telemarketers are taking aim at states that have maintained or created tougher restrictions, petitioning the federal government to override them.
In July, 10 U.S. senators urged FCC Chairman Kevin Martin to reject efforts to weaken state laws, saying "consumers will continue to be served best by a dual regulation system that allows state responses to telemarketing practices." The FCC is currently debating the petition and is expected to rule later this year.
While the Do Not Call registry was celebrated initially as a way to eliminate all bothersome calls, the national program has some significant limitations. For one thing, it doesn't apply to nonprofit groups, pollsters or political organizations. And under the "existing business relationship" exemption, a company can call a customer for 18 months following a purchase. Businesses also can call those who have "inquired" about a product or service within three months.
DO-NOT-CALL TIPS
Some ways to shield yourself from telemarketers:
• Sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov, or call 888-382-1222. • Tell callers to put you on their company's do-not-call list, which they must maintain by law. • Sign up for your state's do-not-call list. (Many have one, but some charge a fee.) • Get on the industry's list at www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offtelephone.
The telemarketing industry is also finding ways to adapt to the restrictions. Consumers who notice fewer cold calls at home may be getting more solicitations at work or through the mail or from companies with which they do business.
Jack Smith, a student from Silver Creek, Minn., says he still gets prerecorded messages and automated "sniffers" trying to detect whether he is home. And technology consultant Phil Smedile of Boston still suffers through a regular barrage. "I still get mortgage-refinance calls almost daily," Mr. Smedile says, ticking off the list of intrusions he gets from financial firms and other, more mysterious outfits. "Once a week, I get a call telling me I've won a cruise!"
Telemarketers were challenging state do-not-call lists in court well before the national registry began, and many hoped the adoption of the federal list in October 2003 would set a single standard that states would follow. Many states fell into line, either adopting the national registry as their own or merging their lists, but a handful clung to their more restrictive laws. Telemarketers then issued a rash of petitions and lawsuits seeking to nullify various aspects of state laws.
This all led up to a petition filed in April by 33 different organizations seeking to invalidate the "morass of existing and proposed state laws" and clarify, once and for all, that the FCC alone has jurisdiction over interstate telemarketing. If granted in full, the petition would prevent Indiana, New Jersey and others from restricting the activities of national telemarketers, leaving them with the reduced option of regulating intrastate calls.
In Indiana, where the state registry doesn't have the broad "existing business relationship" loophole, Attorney General Steve Carter set up a Web site, www.savedonotcall.org, after telemarketers petitioned the FCC to pre-empt key aspects of state laws. "Your privacy is threatened, but our fight against these threats has just begun," the site declares. "Together, we can stop the FCC from overriding Indiana's strong Do Not Call law."
The FTC is currently considering a request from the Direct Marketing Association, a trade group, to loosen restrictions on so-called abandoned calls, in which consumers are greeted with silence when they answer the phone. Abandoned calls are a byproduct of "predictive" dialing, which occurs when computerized systems place prerecorded calls to more numbers than they can handle at one time. Granting the petition would bring the FTC's rules in line with more-lenient FCC regulations on abandoned calls.
Some consumers are taking it upon themselves to fight back. Tips for how to frustrate telemarketers circulate online, and sites like www.antitelemarketer.com play host to heated debates between angry consumers and telemarketers. One regular on the site started his own blog -- anti206.blogspot.com -- to publicize his feud with interstate telemarketers that call from area code 206 in Seattle.
Lynn Willner, a research scientist at George Washington University, says she signs up for do-not-call lists, shreds her bills, opts out of mail solicitations, has added antispyware software to her computer and checks her credit report yearly, but still feels like she's falling behind. "At this point, I feel like I'm fighting a losing war," she says. "Is there really any positive news out there about the protection of consumer privacy?"
Maybe this: For $1, the Direct Marketing Association will put the recently deceased on a special beyond-the-grave do-not-call list, so telemarketers don't direct calls to a departed loved one.

2005-09-18T15:15:00.000-04:00

Latest (206) telemarketer numbers (206 415 8511) (206 278 9007) (206 415 9395) CROSS FMG (206 415 8724) (206 415 8779) GCS. Also, (336 343 4938) Burlington N.C. may be related. This company, Debt Solutions (800 883 7668) may be one of the telemarketers that calls after getting "live" numbers from Guardian Communications(309 277 1222).Posted at Double Reading blog -
TV News Guy Says: September 15th, 2005 at 5:01 pm
Just wanted to add my story also. Got a call this afternoon to my Sprint PCS phone. 206-415-9247. Did a quick search and of course found lots of postings/blogs about the number and the alleged company behind it… Guardian Communications. I live in Texas and did send an online complaint to the Attorney General’s Office. Hopefully it will do some good. I see this as a critical opportunity to set a precedent that will keep other companies from making similar unsolicited calls to cell phones in the future. FYI, I’m also a TV news reporter, and I’m considering a story on this number depending on how widespread of a problem it becomes. Bart in Corpus Christi.
steve Says: September 15th, 2005 at 9:26 pm
Bart, Believe me the problem is widespread.Check out my blog http://www.anti206.blogspot.com/ or my 206 278 8940 thread at antitelemarketer.com. I’ve been trying to get somebody to do a story for months. This problem needs national attention and a story posted on the internet would help people when they google the number. If you need any info or contacts, PM me at antitelemarketer.com. 206 415 9247 is just the tip of the iceburg. -Everybody should contact the media or write their own story so we can get this out to the general public. The phone company for (206 415 9247) is Marathon Communications (800 919 1000). A Seattle company that provides 206#'s to telemarketers. Call to complain and ask who the number belongs to. Don't just leave a message, ask for someone in charge. Post results here. Call the Washington Attorney General (206 464 6948) and file a complaint.Also,if you get a call from (206 415 9247) and later get another telemarketer call please post.The first call may be to find live numbers for the telemarketer.Post the second number, CID and the message.

206 278 8663 / 269 537 2028 update

2005-08-29T01:04:00.000-04:00

Latest (206) numbers (206 278 8663) Atlantic and (269 537 2028).North Carolina Attorney General has a new investigator working on the Guardian Communications case and expects to move foward quickly.NC is very tough on telemarketers.To file a complaint with your Attorney General, you can google to find it or go to the Florida DNC program and at the bottom of the page they have links to all the states. Many states are active, but some may need a little push from you. Do not assume someone else has already called. The same with the FCC and the FTC. Try to get a live person, and call back to see the status of the investigation.Mention any TCPA violations, for example: unsolicited telephone calls, failure to implement DNC request, use of a predictive dialer, fake CID etc.

231 224 2000 /231 224 2020 update

2005-08-24T18:10:00.000-04:00

Latest Guardian Communications numbers (231 224 2000) (231 224 2020) CID customer service.Telemarketer (206) numbers so far: (206 415 8940) (206 415 8880) (206 278 9390) (206 415 9327) ((206 415 9369) (206 415 8554) (206 415 9148) (206 415 9365) (206 415 9322) (206 415 9247) (206 278 9425) (206 415 8547) (206 278 6489) (206 278 9248) (206 415 9063) (206 415 8562) (269 537 2031) (269 537 2020) (206 415 8739) (206 278 9554) (206 415 8779) (206 415 8614) The Direct Marketing Association may open a formal case against G.C. Contact Serenity Edwards (202 861 2445) Ethics Dept.to file a complaint. Guardian is not a member but they can investigate non-members.

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 8:06 am

From payphone-directory.org TOPIC - 206-415-8554 DATE - 08/22/05 14:50:19 FROM - TLH Ohio I received calls from this number on my home & cell phones; I as many of you, Googled the number and was led here. Here's what I found out from our State's Attorney General: Thank you for filing your Do-Not-Call complaint with Attorney General Jim Petro's office. Please remember that the Attorney General is asking that in addition to filing your Do-Not-Call complaint with his office, you should also file a Do-Not-Call complaint with the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC").To file a Do-Not-Call complaint with the FTC, go to the National Do Not Call Registry web site (www.donotcall.gov) or call the National Do Not Call Registry toll-free telephone line at 1-888-382-1222; for TTY - call 1-866-290-4236. Do-Not-Call complaints are compiled by the Ohio Attorney General to target violators for possible enforcement actions. The information that you provide will be entered into our system and may be used to assist in those actions. You also have the right to initiate a private lawsuit in state court if you receive more than one telephone call in violation of the Federal Communication Commission's Telephone Consumer Protection Act. You may wish to consult with a private attorney regarding this option. I hope this helps... !

Double Reading post

2005-08-19T01:43:00.000-04:00

“Out For Blood”
I probably shouldn’t make fun of people who post comments on my site (but as far as I’m concerned, this stupid 206-415 business is a site of it’s own now — I swear that most of the people posting comments didn’t even read my original post… they seem to not understand that the phone number is spoofed and that whoever is at 206-415-9247 is an innocent third-party in this mess, but whatever), but I loved this comment:
My call came in while I was donating blood this morning. I thought it might be my kids so I picked without seeing who it was because I was laying prone with a needle and tube in my arm. 206 415 9247. I gave blood and now I’m out for blood. I’m tired of repeating hello. I also get overseas calls from family and friends and id doesn’t always show up the same. It gives me agita! They’re gonna wish they’d never called this girl, lemme tell ya. I never give up on justice.
(emphasis mine)
Holy shit everyone. Watch out for “SanDiegoGrommet”!!
Oh, and “agita” is “acid indigestion.” Yikes!

One Response to ““Out For Blood””
steve Says: August 18th, 2005 at 3:23 pm
Your right,this 206 415 …. is big. People post on 4 sites and my 206 thread at antitelemarketer.com gets about 1oo hits/day.My blog http://www.anti206.blogspot.com/ is devoted to shutting down Guardian Communications (309 277 1222) the telemarketer behind these calls. I don’t think (206 415 9247) is spoofed.They get the 206 #’s from Marathon Communications a phone company in Seattle. Sorry Double Reading, The problem is people google 206 415.... and get 4 or 5 relevant sites. They pick one, look at the most recent post and think "wow, thats what happened to me" and post a comment.Now since you posted (206 415 9247) google has another link to you. Oh well.

269 537 2031 / 269 537 2020

2005-08-15T17:38:00.000-04:00

Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 7:22 am

Guardian Communications has a new number. Received calls from (269 537 2031) and (269 537 2020) both Customer Service on CID. Googled and got this from http://www.femmegeek.com/?cat=25-"Telemarketer Report I registered my number with the National Do Not Call Registry and to my amazement, the calls have all but ceased. Although, there is one company not getting the message. The number showing up when they call is 269-537-2031. I have done a reverse directory search and nothing comes up but the area code and prefex is located in Niles, Michigan. When they call, it is an automated message about health care providers or something. Takes the stupid message almost a full minute to come on. This does not seem like it would be too productive for telemarketing because I think most people would think that nobody was there and just hang up. Anyway, I called the morons back (this is my third and final request) and asked to be removed, letting them know I am on the National Registry and if they call again, I will be reporting them. I want them to call. **Update: This company called back with the number 269-537-2020 and I again asked to be taken off and threatened them again with reporting them. I will give them 24 hours." The weird thing is, Niles Michigan was the source of this- "Sheriff issues scam warning Tuesday, April 5, 2005 11:06 AM EDT ST. JOSEPH - Berrien County's Sheriff's Office would like to remind citizens that your telephone is one of the easiest ways for a con artist to get your money. Your telephone is used as an easy entrance to the home, largely because it makes detection and prosecution difficult. Telemarketers sweet-talk American consumers out of more than $40 million a year. The Berrien County Sheriff's Office March 30 took an attempted telephone fraud concerning a refund of back income taxes, according to Deputy Karen Klug of the Crime Prevention Unit. The caller identified themselves as federal government IRS agents and called the home owner by name. The female agent stated that the home owner had a large refund to collect due to uncollected past income taxes. The IRS agent stated that she needed the home owner's current name, address, Social Security number and bank information to forward the refund. The home owner had caller ID and obtained the telephone number. The alert home owner hung up and contacted the sheriff's office. The investigating deputy called the number and obtained the name of Guardian out of Seattle, Wash., with a telephone number of (206) 415-9327. The deputy, upon calling the number back, stated it does nothing but ring." Did Guardian steal a number from somebody or am I in the telemarketing Twilight Zone.

206 415 8940 / 206 415 9327 update

2005-08-13T18:05:00.000-04:00

The Missouri Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against Kevin Baker and Guardian Communications (309 277 1222) 3322 38th ave.Moline IL.61265 for calling people on the DNC list and other violations. The judge in the case has issued a restraining order.If any resident gets a 206 call,they should dial (866 289 9633)and file a complaint.Pennsylvania also sued Guardian in march for $190,ooo and believes the case "will end quickly".They had 190 complaints with 10 different violations.Call the A.G. in your state and encourage them to sue Guardian Communications.

2005-08-13T03:09:00.000-04:00

What to do if you get calls from one of these numbers:Answer the phone,otherwise they will just keep calling.Ask to be put on the DNC list.Note type of product or service mentioned,name of telemarketer, as well as the company for which they are selling.Post any info.here.File a complaint with your state Attorney General.Some states are actively pursuing this telemarketer (Pa Nc Ky Wa Mo).File a complaint with the FCC.(888 225 5322)They will only use the enforcement bureau after a pattern of complaints.Same with the FTC (877 382 4357)You must also show fraud or abuse:deceptive practices,calling during restricted hours,failure to transmit caller ID info etc.File a lawsuit.Call Guardian Communications (309 277 1222)and complain.Call company owner Kevin M Baker (309 736 9167). Go to payphone-directory.org for more info.www.payphone-directory.org/discussion/sub2.html

206 415 8880/206 415 8940/ 206 415 9390/206 415 9327/206 415 9369/206 415 9247 etc.

2005-08-10T17:57:00.000-04:00

What we know so far: Guardian Communications (309 277 1222) owns at least 2 of the 206 #’s ( 206 415 8940 ) card services and ( 206 415 9327 ) guardian. Missouri A.G. subpoenaed Marathon Communications (800 919 1000) and got that info. I also believe they use (206 278 9390) sat.inc (206 415 8880) cust. service and (206 415 9369). When you call all these #’s you get exactly the same message. (206 415 9365) gets Evergreen Sales and Marketing message. (206 415 8614) gets customer service recording with a female voice. (206 415 9322)”survey call” (206 415 8547) health plans and (206 415 9247) corporate office “message in Spanish” still get a fast busy when you call back.The question is, does Guardian use all the 206#’s for different clients or does Marathon provide 206#’s to different telemarketers. Please post if you have any information.