Quebec-based wellness company geared toward seniors to pay $200,000 for violating telemarketing rules

OTTAWA, ON and GATINEAU, QC, Nov. 4, 2021 /CNW/ - Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)

The CRTC today announced that CA Diffusion has agreed to pay a $200,000 penalty as part of a settlement for making non-compliant telemarketing calls. The Laval, Quebec-based company, more widely known as Physaro, specializes in the direct sale of wellness products geared toward seniors.     

The investigation uncovered that CA Diffusion committed several violations of the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules between September 2018 and July 2019. During that period, millions of unsolicited calls were made to Canadians – some of which were made to telephone numbers registered on the National Do Not Call List (DNCL) and outside of the permissible calling hours. Some calls were also made during periods when the company failed to purchase a subscription to the National DNCL. The company enlisted the services of call centres based in Senegal and Morocco. 

Canadians who think the telemarketing rules are not being followed can submit a complaint to the CRTC.

Quotes

 "This case was particularly worrisome as the products being sold targeted a vulnerable segment of our population. CA Diffusion cooperated with our investigation, voluntarily entered into an agreement and has implemented corrective measures to ensure compliance with the rules. We continue to closely monitor organizations to uphold Canadians' choice not to be bothered by telemarketing calls."

-  Steven Harroun, Chief Compliance and Enforcement Officer, CRTC

Quick facts

• The CRTC reminds telemarketers that it is their duty to comply with the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules, whether based in Canada or abroad, and whether they make the calls themselves or hire a third-party agency to do it for them.
• The Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules are a strict set of rules that individuals, companies and organizations must follow when making unsolicited telecommunications, including telemarketing calls.
• The CRTC continues to monitor to ensure telemarketers follow the Rules, and to reduce the number of unwanted calls to Canadians. 
• The National DNCL was launched in 2008 to protect Canadians from unsolicited telecommunications. Canadians may register their numbers permanently on the List at no charge. Over 14 million numbers have been registered on the List.
• Since 2008, a total of $10,716,930 has been issued in administrative monetary penalties.
• In 2020-21, Canadians filed 45,874 complaints with the National DNCL Operator.
• 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.
• 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 the National DNCL website.

Associated links

• Settlement
• Information about the Do Not Call List

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SOURCE Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

Media Relations, [phone]; General Inquiries, [phone], Toll-free 1 (877) 249-CRTC, (2782), TTY [phone]

Related Links

http://www.crtc.gc.ca