The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently announced a proposed order settling a Complaint against California-based lead generator Response Tree LLC and its president, Derek Doherty, banning them from making or assisting anyone in making robocalls or calls to phone numbers on the FTC’s Do Not Call (DNC) Registry. The proposed order helps settle pending FTC charges that Response Tree and its president operated more than fifty (50) websites designed to trick consumers into providing personal information for supposed mortgage refinancing and other services.… Continue Reading
robocalls
Overwhelming Majority of State Attorney Generals Endorse Commitment to Interstate Robocall Investigations Coordinating State and Federal Branches
By Elliot Johnson on
Posted in FCC, Regulatory and Enforcement
In January, attorney generals representing all 50 states called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to put a plan in place to counter what they perceived to be a growing tide of fraudulent robocalls. The FCC proposed states act collaboratively to share information for investigations which it claims would prevent duplicative efforts, allowing pooling of resources, and accelerate investigations. … Continue Reading
FTC bans phantom debt collectors from industry
By Rene T. McNulty on
On December 13, 2021, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that, under the terms of a settlement, a group of phantom debt collectors were permanently banned from the debt collection industry. The term “phantom debt” is generally used to refer to debt that doesn’t exist or has already been paid.… Continue Reading
Telecom providers and state AG’s enter into agreement to combat robocalls
By Ballard CFS Group on
Posted in FCC, Regulatory and Enforcement
Recently, the twelve largest telecom providers and the attorneys general of all fifty states and Washington, D.C., entered into an agreement aimed at identifying and deterring robocalls. Although this agreement is intended primarily to help combat the use of robocalls, to make spam calls illegal and to protect consumers, the agreement’s emphasis on broader access to call-blocking functionality will likely pose challenges for a wide range of legitimate callers, including creditors and debt collection agencies.… Continue Reading
FTC and FCC release tentative agenda for March 23 policy forum on robocalls
By Barbara S. Mishkin on
Posted in Federal Agencies, Regulatory and Enforcement
As we previously reported, on March 23, 2018 in Washington, D.C., the FTC and FCC will co-host a joint policy forum that will cover recent policy changes and enforcement actions as well as the agencies’ efforts to encourage private sector technological solutions. We believe the event will be of interest to clients who launch legitimate account management or marketing campaigns from autodialers as well as those whose names have been misappropriated by fraudulent telemarketers.… Continue Reading