PA Seeks Ban, $200K Fine for Telemarketer
The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office asked a court to fine a travel telemarketer $204,000 and permanently ban it from operating in the state in a lawsuit alleging violations of the state no-call list.According to the attorney general, Travel Net and Direct Reservations, Fort Lauderdale, FL, and several associated companies generated complaints from more than 200 Pennsylvania residents alleging list violations. The telemarketer had "no intention" of heeding the list and faces similar allegations in two other states, the attorney general's office said.
Since Nov. 1, 2002, the telemarketer called consumers in Pennsylvania to sell travel packages for Disney World, Busch Gardens and Carnival Cruises, according to the lawsuit. Company agents also misrepresented their affiliation with the theme parks and cruise line by claiming to represent them directly, when they were reselling vacation packages that were bought in bulk.
Along with the no-call law, Travel Net is accused of other violations including concealing its activities through the use of corporate identities, failure to register as a telemarketer in the state, failure to identify itself truthfully and in a timely fashion during sales calls, blocking caller ID and calling outside the permitted time of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The case represents the first time Pennsylvania has sought a permanent ban on a telemarketer through its do-not-call law.
