American company offering lower credit card rates issued $145,000 penalty for violating Canadian telemarketing rules

OTTAWA-GATINEAU, March 30, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced a company operating out of Arizona, Rainmaker Marketing/Maple Accounting, has been issued a notice of violation and administrative monetary penalty of $145,000 for violating the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules.

Acting on complaints submitted by Canadians, the CRTC launched an investigation and found that Rainmaker Marketing/Maple Accounting made unsolicited telemarketing calls to offer lower credit card rates. The pre-recorded automated calls were made to Canadians whose numbers were registered on the National Do Not Call List (DNCL) and without their prior consent. Rainmaker Marketing/Maple Accounting also did not display the telephone number from which the calls originated, nor did the company provide a local or toll-free number where it could be reached. Finally, the company failed to register with and subscribe to the National DNCL before making the calls.

During the course of its investigation, the CRTC worked closely with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC).

The CRTC reminds telemarketers that it is their duty to comply with the Rules, whether they make the calls themselves or hire a third-party agency to make calls on their behalf, and whether they are based in Canada or abroad.

The CRTC is continuing to enhance its monitoring to ensure telemarketers follow the Rules, and to reduce the number of unwanted calls to Canadians. The CRTC can discuss corrective actions with individuals, firms or organizations engaged in telemarketing, which may lead to a settlement that includes an administrative monetary penalty and other corrective measures. The CRTC can also issue warnings and citations, conduct inspections and issue notices of violation.

To date, the CRTC has issued more than $6 million in monetary penalties payable to the Receiver General for Canada and $741,000 in other payments.

About the National Do Not Call List

The National DNCL was launched in 2008 to protect Canadians from unsolicited telecommunications. Canadians may register permanently on the List at no charge. Over 12.7 million numbers are currently registered on the List.

Canadians can register their numbers, verify whether a number is on the List or file a complaint about a telemarketer by calling 1-866-580-DNCL (3625) or visiting www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca.

Quick Facts

• Rainmaker Marketing/Maple Accounting, operating out of Arizona, has been issued a notice of violation and a penalty of $145,000 for violating the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules.
• During the course of its investigation, the CRTC worked closely with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
• The Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules are a set of strict rules that individuals, companies and organizations must follow when making telemarketing calls.
• The CRTC is committed to protecting Canadians and is continuing to enhance its monitoring to ensure that all telemarketers follow the Rules.
• To date, the CRTC has issued more than $6 million in monetary penalties payable to the Receiver General for Canada and $741,000 in other payments.

Quote

"The result of this cross-border investigation shows that we are making headway in our efforts to protect Canadians from unwanted telemarketing calls that originate from here at home, and from other countries. We appreciate the help that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre provided during our investigation."

Manon Bombardier, the CRTC's Chief Compliance and Enforcement Officer

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SOURCE Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

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Related Links

http://www.crtc.gc.ca