Attorney General's News Release

December 14, 2009

Attorney General Koster sues California telemarketer

--asks court to stop calls to No-Call subscribers--

Jefferson City, Mo. - Attorney General Chris Koster today sued a California telemarketing company for making solicitation calls to Missourians who had previously placed their names on the state's No-Call list. He said the suit came as a result of complaints filed with the Attorney General's Office.

Koster filed suit against Credexx Corporation, d/b/a Auto One Warranty Specialists, based in Irvine, California. Koster said telemarketing calls were made to consumers in an attempt to sell products described as automobile warranties.

"Missourians who register with our No-Call list do so with the reasonable expectation that unsolicited, harassing calls will be substantially reduced," Koster said. "This office is committed to vigorously pursuing every telemarketer who violate our No-Call laws."

Koster said he is asking the court to stop Auto One Warranty Specialists from making calls to Missourians on the No-Call list who have no established business relationship with the companies. He said he is seeking the maximum civil penalties for each violation of the law, in addition to the costs of the investigation and prosecution and all court costs.

The Attorney General is cracking down on businesses that market auto service contracts and auto additives as warranties. In November, Koster filed suit against six businesses for tactics they were using to try to trick people into purchasing bogus auto warranty products of limited value. More investigations are underway.

Koster reminds Missourians they can sign up for the Do-Not-Call hotline  on his website at ago.mo.gov or by calling 1-866-buzzoff (1-866-289-9633). Consumers can also use that number to report harassing solicitation calls.