Summary of Telemarketing Fraud Enforcement Released by FTC

The Federal Trade Commission today issued its second quarterly summary announcement detailing the agency’s continued enforcement against telemarketing fraud. The quarterly enforcement summary describes case developments in 25 federal court cases between July and October 2003. A Web page containing the “Enforcement Summary for October 2003,” also contains a list of enforcement actions involving telemarketing that have had developments since October 1, 2002, with links to press releases concerning each of these actions.

In addition to helping consumers learn about the Commission’s enforcement actions, the Web page and the quarterly enforcement summary provide consumers with easy access to information about the specific frauds perpetrated using telephone calls and the types of fraud prosecuted by the Commission, including matters brought under the Telemarketing Sales Rule, with the exception of those related to the Do Not Call Registry.

“Consumers can count on the FTC to respond quickly and decisively to deceptive telemarketing schemes,” said Howard Beales, Director of the Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “We are vigilant on behalf of American consumers and our excellent record of enforcement against telemarketing fraudsters will continue.”

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint, or to get free information on any of 150 consumer topics, call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357), or use the complaint form at http://www.ftc.gov. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.