Bravo!! Telemarketers fined for violating Do Not Call list

[rehearser]

The CRTC today finally named and fined three telemarketers thousands of dollars for knowingly violating the National Do-Not-Call list.

It is the first time that any individual or company has been found guilty of contravening the almost year-old rule, which was designed to protect consumers who have registered with the free service.

Until now, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has conducted its investigations into alleged violations in secret, refusing to even name the companies.

The CRTC announced this morning it had found that the three telemarketers had violated the National Do Not Call List (DNCL) Rules, despite being warned to change their ways, and were assessed fines:

• $4,000 fine to Rob Sugar, who runs a Toronto weight loss clinic

• $10,000 fine to Toronto-based Roofing by Peerless Mason Ltd.

• an additional $10,000 fine to Waterproofing by Peerless Mason Inc.

"The telemarketers were given opportunities to come into compliance with the National DNCL Rules, but failed to change their business practices," according a statement released by the CRTC.

[wolf30]

I signed up with that national do not call list. I keep on getting these sales calls from these duct cleaning ppl and I keep on telling them to remove me from there calling list and to leave me alone yet 2-3 days later I would receive another call from them. Its been going on for months now. I have never used there service before. I want to file a complaint. Where can I do that?

[kingfencer]

i'm getting so many collectors from the states.

[mkerian]

Only 3 fines and their small amounts. Just a useless slap on the wrist. Big whoop.

[cyphon21]

^^ Exactly... it's worth it, they have probably made more money then that from all the calls.

Companies like All-State do this on a daily basis and no one does a thing, they get small fines but its worth it to pay them and keep doing it for the calls.

[help_questions]

good to hear.

i am starting to record telemarketing calls that are unwanted solely for the purpose of reporting them with the intent to get some of them fined.

Sometime they hang up when I ask to be removed from their list, and then they call back. Other times, they hang up when I start asking for information like their full name and company info.

Ultimately, I am out to get those who call my home fined, and am glad to see that it actually happens.

thanks for posting this OP!

[help_questions]

i'm getting so many collectors from the states.

those in the states are required to follow our rules to, aren't they?

I know when we telemarket into the US, we have to follow the FCC compliance laws which regulate how we our abandon rate (the percentage of dead air calls) per hour.

I assume that americans have to follow our laws when calling our citizens. Of course, enforcement is another issue....

[mkerian]

those in the states are required to follow our rules to, aren't they?

I know when we telemarket into the US, we have to follow the FCC compliance laws which regulate how we our abandon rate (the percentage of dead air calls) per hour.

I assume that americans have to follow our laws when calling our citizens. Of course, enforcement is another issue....

Uh, no they don't. The CRTC cannot place restrictions on foreign companies. Which is why many Canadian companies simply download the Do not call list of users from the government website, and pay foreign companies to do the telemarketing.

That's why we see all of those weird long distance numbers. That's also the reason why all the actual telemarketers are so terrible at pitching and hang up on you the second you say no.

The same thing applies for Canadian telemarketing companies calling Americans.

[Troodon]

Uh, no they don't. The CRTC cannot place restrictions on foreign companies. Which is why many Canadian companies simply download the Do not call list of users from the government website, and pay foreign companies to do the telemarketing.

That's why we see all of those weird long distance numbers. That's also the reason why all the actual telemarketers are so terrible at pitching and hang up on you the second you say no.

The same thing applies for Canadian telemarketing companies calling Americans.

Is there anyway to block foreign numbers?

[sjones]

I get calls from telemarketers in the states, and now I'm afraid to pick up the phone if I see an area code on caller ID that I don't recognize.

[kidflash23]

At least this is a start even though the fine amounts are quite small.

[joeyjoejoe]

Finally, the CRTC fines someone, but this reeks of, "Lets fine someone so it looks like we are doing our job and maybe all the recent negative press will go away."

Any really? These companies are not the big violators. They all are guilty of FAX telemarketing to people on the DNC list. Yes, those are annoying, but hardly the problem that Canadians are facing.

Wow, over 20,000 complaints per month to the CRTC for the DNC list and this is the best they can do?

[thelefteyeguy]

...what a scam (is the CRTC getting a kickback at least?)

by signing up...you get more f'ing telemarketers

[Winkle]

Yea this is weak.

I get telemarketers who don't identify themselves anymore, they just call and ask "Do you want your windows replaced?" as soon as I answer the phone, if I say no, they just hang up, except they call every couple of days. Getting kinda annoying.

[golden_m]

Yea this is weak.

I get telemarketers who don't identify themselves anymore, they just call and ask "Do you want your windows replaced?" as soon as I answer the phone, if I say no, they just hang up, except they call every couple of days. Getting kinda annoying.

tell them "yes", have them come to your place and start the "hunting"