Corbett
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett announced on Thursday that his office has fined three out-of-state companies for allegedly violating Pennsylvania's Do Not Call list.
Rhode Island home security alarm company Versatile Marketing Solutions, Inc., doing business as VMS Alarms, allegedly violated the Telemarketing Registration Act by calling people on the Do Not Call list. Even after consumers asked them not to call back, the company allegedly continued phone solicitations.
After receiving a warning letter from the Bureau of Consumer Protection, the company registered as a telemarketer in February 2009, but calls allegedly continued to those on the Do Not Call list.
The company's calls offered free home security systems manufactured by General Electric, Corbett says.
Under terms of the settlement agreement, Versatile is required to pay $28,000 in civil penalties and costs.
FBK Products LLC, a Florida-based septic system company, allegedly made calls offering household maintenance products for homes with septic systems, but failed to abide by the Do Not Call registry.
Under terms of their settlement agreement, FBK Products is required to pay $15,000 in civil penalties and costs.
In addition to allegedly violating the Do Not Call law, Dynasty French Porcelain, a New York-based porcelain company, allegedly conducted business in Pennsylvania without obtaining a certificate of authority. They also allegedly told consumers that they produced their French porcelain, which was actually purchased from another company and resold.
Approximately 226 consumers are entitled to payments as part of this settlement.
Ten percent of the civil penalties from these three settlements must be paid to consumers who filed complaints that led to legal action. In addition, all of the owners and businesses must fully comply with Pennsylvania law while conducting any future business in the state.