TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) - Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced orders Friday against two out-of-state companies forcing them to pay close to $1 million in combined penalties and fees for alleged telemarketing law violations.
The Springfield, Mo.-based The Buzz Marketing and Communications LLC was ordered to pay $952,000 in penalties and fees for alleged violations of the Kansas No-Call Act. Schmidt's Consumer Protection Division received numerous complaints from Kansans on the National Do-Not-Call list. Buzz Marketing allegedly contacted at least 93 Kansans in an effort to sell vacation packages in Branson, Mo.
The default judgment against Buzz Marketing also ordered the company to refrain from future violations of the Kansas No-Call Act.
The San Diego-based WordSmart Corporation agreed to a consent judgment ordering the company to pay $10,000 in penalties and fees for alleged No-Call Act violations. Several Kansans on the Do-Not-Call list filed complaints with Schmidt's office after receiving calls from WordSmart. The company allegedly contacted the consumers about computer software meant to prepare students to take standardized tests. WordSmart also agreed to refrain from future No-Call Act violations.
The Kansas No-Call Act prohibits most businesses from calling consumers registered on the Do-Not-Call list to sell a service or product. Organizations soliciting charitable donations, calls related to political issues or candidates and other calls unrelated to the sale of services or property do not fall under the scope of the law.
Kansas AG announces orders against two companies for no-call violations
