FTC Fines Six Companies Over Do Not Call Violations

The Federal Trade Commission showed that it was serious about prosecuting those who did not follow the Do Not Call list, announcing six settlements totaling some $7.7 million in fines.

Since the law was enacted in 2003, the FTC has filed some 34 cases against violators, and nearly 134 million numbers have been placed on the list. Altogether some $16 million in penalties have been collected, the largest of which was a $5.3 million fine levied on DirecTV in 2005.

The FTC also recently announced that phone numbers placed on the list will not be removed after a five-year expiration date as recently announced. The final decision depends on whether Congress decides to make the list permanent.

Named in this most recent action are the following companies: Craftmatic, a $4.4 million fine; ADT Security and authorized dealers Alarm King and Direct Security, fines of $2 million, $20,000, and $25,000; Ameriquest Financial, $1 million; and Guardian Communications, $150,000.

Additionally, the FTC will also pursue charges against Global Mortgage Funding for its violations of the DNC list. That action will be assisted by the Justice Department, it said.

"By bringing enforcement actions, like those announced today, we will ensure that the small number of bad actors pay a price for not adhering to the law and respecting consumers' privacy requests," FTC Chairman Deborah Majoras said in a statement.