Goddard
PHOENIX, Ariz. (Legal Newsline) - Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard has filed a lawsuit against three Florida men for allegedly advertising at least 47 fictitious locksmith businesses in the Tucson Yellow Pages.
David Sasson and David Peer, both of Clearwater, Fla., and Gilad Gill of Bronx, New York, are alleged to have advertised the fictitiouses businesses. When called, they would redirect consumers to a call center in Clearwater, Fla., and a local agent in Arizona would then be contacted by the call center to respond to the original call and perform the services requested, it is alleged.
Goddard's complaint alleges that the defendants -- by falsely representing that consumers had the option of contacting numerous locksmithing companies, falsely representing their businesses' locations and falsely representing membership in the Associated Locksmiths of America -- were in violation of the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act.
Gill had been a member of the Associated Locksmiths of America until his membership was revoked in Dec. 2005, but Goddard's complaint alleges that he continued to the use logo until July 2007. Documents also show that Gill included the Association of Locksmiths of America's logo in advertisements for Priceline Locksmith, Goddard says.
"Arizonans have the right to be treated fairly by companies that want their business," Goddard said. "I appreciate the cooperation in this case by the Associated Locksmiths of America. When businesses play by the rules, the market is more competitive and consumers win."
Goddard's lawsuit seeks full restitution for victims of the defendants' ploy as well as a fine of up to $10,000 for each violation of the Consumer Fraud Act.