FTC Bombs Massive Robocall Operation 154
coondoggie writes "The Federal Trade Commission today had a federal court in Chicago halt a major telemarketing operation that made at least 370 million illegal phone calls pitching worthless extended auto warranties and credit card interest rate-reduction programs. According to the FTC, one telephone service provider told the FTC that during a single day in April 2009 the defendants — SBN Peripherals — sent 2.4 million calls to consumers — more than 27 calls per second."
Re:It's One of Those Days (Score:5, Informative)
FTC Bombs Massive Robocall Operation
It's one of those days when you wish the headlines were literal in meaning. I mean, surely the FTC could pull some strings and a few cluster bombs could go "missing" en route to Iraq ...
You know that's not such a bad idea as I actually worked for an telemarketing outfit that operated outside FTC regulations. I only lasted a few weeks but eventually I was put in charge web based control of the auto-dialer.
It started with 'debt consolidation' but during my few weeks there it shifted into Auto Warranties and DirectTV as well.
During orientation we were told how they reset the internal do not call list every few weeks, and they justified it by stating by then they might need whatever shady wares were being pedaled.
Either way there were very savy about what they were up to, they were aware of every rule and regulation and loophole as well as the effort required to track down responsible parties. Calling cell phones, people on the DNC list, people in states where you weren't legally allowed to make automated calls too.
The web based cpanel for the autodialer was out of new zealand (where the actual lines making the calls were, I'll never know), the actual companies responsible for implementation for whatever was sold never had much more than a TX phone number most of the time and here we were in Idaho. The best part is the place is right down the street from where I live now, debated on contacting the state AG but this was two years ago by now they're probably selling star names or some other inane shit by now.
I remember them (Score:5, Informative)
I remember them. They called me quite a bit last year. It got to the point I started trying to figure out who they were.
They would call and tell me my car warranty was about to expire. I thanked one of them and asked which of my two cars had the warranty problem... and the guy couldn't answer and hung up.
The answer, of course, is that I don't have any cars/warranties in my name. Whatever he said would have been wrong, but I knew that.
I reported them a couple of times to the FCC.
Simple solution (Score:4, Informative)
I have one phone (mobile) and I use Google Voice for all calls.
If I get a call and don't recognize the number or if caller ID is blocked then I don't answer.
If they leave a voicemail I will decide if it is someone I want to talk to or not. If the answer is yes I add them to the address book and call them back. If the answer is no I mark the number as spam and never get bother by it ever again.
Re:It's One of Those Days (Score:3, Informative)
Sure, sue them. But only if:
- You can find them (nobody to sue if you don't know who the are)
- You have proof of the contents of the call (their word against yours)
- Your time is free (or at least cheaper than the $500 you might get)
There is a better solution: Just Hang Up On Them.
Re:I got several of these calls (Score:5, Informative)
I love it when people who have no idea on what has to be involved in these investigations assume everyone moves slow~
Arrogance of ignorance at it's best.
Re:It's One of Those Days (Score:5, Informative)
I think the following quote sums it up nicely.
I would be more embarrassed to admit to someone that I worked as a telemarketer than I would be to admit that I was a drug dealer. There are some people who LIKE drugs. Nobody likes a telemarketer. -- Mike Helan
Owner of the operation (Score:5, Informative)
http://www.persianhub.org/off-topic-free-talk-published/143955-video-fereidoun-khalilian-accused-sexual-abuse.html [persianhub.org]
"Paris Hilton's former business partner in Orlando's Club Paris has a history of accusations of sexual misconduct or rape. The Orlando Sentinel has uncovered at least three other incidents in which women claim that Fereidoun "Fred" Khalilian sexually abused them. In 2005, a passerby called police to report that Khalilian tried to rape a woman outside the club. The alleged victim turned out to be Khalilian's girlfriend at the time, Heather Dodt. The entrepreneur was not arrested at the scene, after he claimed he had diplomatic immunity. "I'm a diplomat. You can't arrest me. I own Club Paris," the police report states. After investigating, police discovered he didn't have immunity and filed a misdemeanor battery charge. The case has not yet gone to trial. Meanwhile, TMZ dug up some video showing "Fred" at work in the club. Fred Khalilian Also in 2005, a 21-year-old employee of the club told police that Khalilian invited her to his home, where he allegedly pulled down her pants and had sex with her. The victim says she didn't immediately call cops because she was fearful of losing her job. Weeks later, she says Khalilian punched her in the face, twice, after keeping her at the nightclub after closing. She then filed a police report against him. It's not yet known how this case was resolved. In another incident, a female patron at Club Paris attacked Khalilian after thinking he sexually fondled her from behind while she was dancing on the stage, but an investigation failed to pinpoint Khalilian as the molester. The club owner was arrested yesterday on charges of battery, sexual battery and false imprisonment, stemming from allegations made by a 20-something woman, who says that he raped her at his home last Friday. "Fred" was released last night after posting a $6,000 bond. Video: TMZ: Video Player"
Re:UGH! (Score:3, Informative)
Wait, what?!? You reached a human being at AT&T?
OK, now you've got 0 credibility.
Re:It's One of Those Days (Score:3, Informative)
But otherwise, you're mostly punishing decent folks trying to make a living.
It's not "a living". Every minute of their "work" is stealing a minute of another person's time. They "work" a 40 hour week? They've stolen 40 hours of other people's time. And the time of our life is the most important thing we have. And that's ignoring the scams they're trying to sell. Almost universally massive ripoffs.
These are not decent people, just petty thieves typically trying to rationalize theft. Being paid doesn't justify theft.
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Marketing = information pollution.