Oklahoma Sues Firm Under Telemarketing Laws
A company marketing a bogus identity theft protection plan violated numerous Oklahoma telemarketing laws, state attorney general Drew Edmondson said yesterday.In a lawsuit filed in Oklahoma County District Court, Edmondson charged Consumer Benefits Group Inc., Mesa, AZ, with failing to register in the state, calling residents who had registered for the state no-call list and violating consumer protection laws. Edmondson seeks a permanent injunction barring the company from doing business in Oklahoma, as well as civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation and court costs.
The company's telemarketing representatives referred to themselves as "head agent" and "inspector" in solicitation calls and told consumers their names had been placed on a list of people being targeted for identity theft, Edmondson alleged. Consumer Benefits Group offered an identity theft prevention service for $299, Edmondson said.
