Attorney General's News Release

September 30, 2005

Florida telemarketing company will pay $20,000 for violations of No Call law

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon today announced a settlement with a Florida company that uses telemarketing calls to sell vacation packages. Nixon says Hallandale Marketing Inc., of Ft. Lauderdale, violated the law by calling at least 50 Missourians whose home phone numbers were on the No Call list to solicit the sale of travel packages.

"This company was selling family vacations, but their calls were intruding on the peace and quiet of Missouri families that don't want telemarketing calls," Nixon said. "No matter how far away from Missouri they are, we want telemarketers to know that disregarding our No Call list has consequences."

Under the agreement filed in St. Louis County Circuit Court, Hallandale agreed to:

• Stop calling Missourians on the No Call list and comply with Missouri's consumer protection laws.
• Pay $20,000 to the Missouri Merchandising Practices Revolving Fund, which is used for consumer enforcement and education.
• Train its telemarketing staff in customer relations and etiquette.

Hallandale must also draw up a written plan for complying with Missouri law and submit the plan to Nixon's office. Any future No Call violations could cost the company $5,000 per call.

Missouri residents who wish to register their telephone numbers on the No Call list or file a complaint regarding a No Call violation can do so by visiting the Attorney General's Web site or by calling 1-866-NOCALL1.

To date, Nixon's office has obtained more than $1.28 million from business that have violated Missouri's No Call law, which took effect in 2001. More than 2.1 million residential phone numbers are on the Attorney General's No Call list.

Take the Attorney General's Consumers No Call quiz

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to the Press Secretary.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818