TOPEKA, KAN. – Two out-of-state companies have been ordered to pay nearly $1 million in combined penalties and fees for telemarketing law violations, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced today.
“Telephone solicitors are bound by state and federal laws to avoid calling consumers who opt for privacy,” Schmidt said. “The Kansas No-Call Act gives us clear authority to enforce the law against those who ignore it.”
The Buzz Marketing and Communications, LLC, of Springfield, Mo., was ordered in a default judgment to pay the state $952,000 in penalties and fees for violations of the No-Call Act.
The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division investigated the company after receiving numerous complaints from Kansas consumers who were on the National Do-Not-Call list. Buzz Marketing contacted at least 93 Kansas consumers attempting to sell them vacation packages in Branson, Mo.
In addition to the penalties and fees, the court ordered Buzz Marketing to refrain from future violations of the Kansas No-Call Act.
WordSmart Corporation of San Diego agreed to a consent judgment ordering the company to pay the state $10,000 in penalties and fees for violations of the No-Call Act.
The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division began investigating the company after receiving complaints from several Kansas consumers who were on the National Do-Not-Call list.
The consumers received telemarketing calls attempting to sell them computer software designed to prepare students to take standardized tests. In addition to the financial penalties, WordSmart Corporation has agreed to refrain from future violations of the Kansas No-Call Act.
The Kansas Attorney General’s office is responsible for enforcing the Kansas No-Call Act. This act prohibits most businesses from calling consumers registered on the do-not-call list to sell a product or service.
Organizations soliciting charitable donations, calls concerning political candidates or issues, or other calls unrelated to the sale of property or services do not fall within the scope of the Kansas No-Call Act.
To register for the national Do-Not-Call list, call 1-888-382-1222 or visit www.donotcall.gov.
