The case targets Las Vegas-based Braglia Marketing Group and its
two directors, Frank and Kate Braglia, accusing them of making
hundreds of thousands of calls, mostly relating to timeshare
properties.
The FTC also alleges that the firm made over 10,000 calls
without first paying a required annual area code access fee and
that the company abandoned calls to consumers by failing to connect
the call to a representative within two seconds after consumers
answered the phone, all in breach of Registry provisions and the US
Telemarketing Sales Rule.
Around 63 million consumers have joined the Registry, which is
similar to the UK's Telephone Preference Service, since it opened
for registrations in June last year.
Since 17th October 2003, telemarketers have had to check the
list every three months to clean their lists for those numbers that
have opted-out of receiving telemarketing calls. Telemarketers that
call a number on the list are liable for a fine of up to $11,000
per call.
"This is a pretty simple case because our requirements are
pretty clear. You can't call numbers on the Registry. These people
did," Eileen Harrington, the agency's associate director for
marketing practices, told the Washington Post.
The Braglia Marketing Group has made no comment.
