Robocall operation ‘called out’ by FCC

Ever wonder what happens to a scammer in the U.S. that is caught by the feds? In one recent case, the Federal Communications Commission recommended to a federal court an alleged Florida robocall scammer be fined $120 million.

For many years, Better Business Bureau Serving Acadiana has received thousands of calls from consumers and businesses trying to stop these annoying calls. BBB has also heard horror stories of people being ripped off as a result of scammers placing these calls.

The company caught by the FCC, Market Strategy Leaders, is accused of making 100 million robocalls over just a few months selling discounted “travel” services to the elderly as well as altering call ID information in order to perpetrate a fraud, according to FCC documents.

It is believed by the FCC that the call center was actually part of a Mexico-based call center engaged in selling timeshares and vacation packages using aggressive and illegal sales tactics.

On top of the numerous other charges, Market Strategy Leaders is also accused of violating the Truth in Caller ID Act, which prohibits the deliberate falsification of caller ID information to defraud and harm consumers as well as federal wire fraud charges. Consumer complaints to the FCC often included the fact consumers were on the “Do Not Call” list, but were receiving the calls anyway.

Marketing Strategy Leaders even allegedly made robocalls calls to a telecommunications service used by hospitals and emergency medical providers, jeopardizing their operations.

Better Business Bureau reminds local consumers that recorded messages are only legal if they are regarding candidates running for office or charities asking for donations. Messages that are solely informational, for example a reminder from your pharmacy or doctor’s office, and messages from a business that is contacting you to collect a debt, are also permitted.

Penalties for sellers and telemarketers who break the rules and transmit prerecorded messages to consumers who have not agreed in writing to accept automated messages can face penalties up to $16,000 per call.

BBB offers the following tips to avoid being taken by Robocall scams:

Never give out any financial information. If you did not initiate the call, do not provide bank account, credit card or social security numbers over the phone to unknown callers.

Don’t rely on caller ID. Scammers can use technology to make it appear as though their calls are coming from legitimate businesses or organizations. Some will even display as your own telephone number.

Hang up the phone. Don’t press 1 to speak to a live operator and don’t press any other number to get your number off the list. If you respond by pressing any number, it will probably just lead to more robocalls.

Consider contacting your phone provider. Ask your provider to block the number, and whether they charge for that service. Remember that telemarketers change Caller ID information easily and often, so it might not be worth paying a fee to block a number that will change.

Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t seem right to you, end the call.

BBB of Acadiana serves the parishes of Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Martin, St. Landry and Vermilion.

BBB of Acadiana serves the parishes of Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Martin, St. Landry and Vermilion. Sharane Gott is the President/CEO of the BBB of Acadiana.