Attorney General's News Release

December 10, 2007

Nixon reaches agreement with Florida telemarketer over No Call violations; Marketlinkx Direct pays $15,000 penalty

St. Louis, Mo. — A Florida company that made telemarketing calls to Missourians on the state’s No Call list will cease violating the law and pay a civil penalty of $15,000 under an agreement with Attorney General Jay Nixon. Nixon’s assurance of voluntary compliance with Marketlinkx Direct of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and its owner Ezell Brown, was filed today in St. Louis City Circuit Court.

Nixon sued the defendants after his office received numerous complaints from consumers registered on the state No Call list who were contacted by Marketlinkx Direct. The defendants attempted to persuade consumers to purchase various goods and services related to insurance products.

According to the agreement, Marketlinkx Direct will stop calling Missourians on the No Call list and pay a penalty of $15,000. In addition, the defendants will be required to pay a civil penalty of up to $2,000 per violation if they violate any of the terms of the agreement, and a penalty of $5,000 per violation for any future violation of state consumer protection laws.

To date, more than 2.5 million Missouri residential telephone numbers are on the No Call list, and Nixon’s office has collected more than $1.7 million from telemarketers that violated the law.

Missourians not yet on the No Call list may register their home phone numbers at no cost by going online to ago.mo.gov and clicking on the No Call icon or by calling toll free 1-866 NO CALL 1 (1-866-662-2551).

Test your knowledge of the Missouri No Call law

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