- The FTC brought a lawsuit against several entities and individuals allegedly involved in a robocall operation that violated the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) and the FTC Act by delivering unwanted Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and ringless voicemail robocalls promoting fraudulent debt relief services.
- According to the complaint, the defendants allegedly inundated consumers with tens of millions of ringless voicemails—pre-recorded messages delivered to consumers by calling their phone in a way that does not cause it to ring—that advertised debt relief services. The FTC alleges that some defendants called consumers that were on the National Do Not Call Registry, materially misrepresented the debt relief services advertised in the messages, and requested consumer payments for services before debts had been reduced or renegotiated.
- The FTC asks for a permanent injunction and civil penalties, among other things.