Attorney General's News Release

November 16, 2011

Attorney General Koster obtains restraining order against Florida telemarketer

Jefferson City, Mo. – Attorney General Chris Koster said today his office has obtained a temporary restraining order against an Orlando, Florida, telemarketing company for making solicitation calls to Missourians who had previously placed their names on the state's no-call list.

Koster said the restraining order prohibits Azriel Financial Services and the company’s owner, Jaime Chacon, from making any further solicitation calls to Missourians on the No-Call list. He had previously filed a lawsuit against Azriel and Chacon alleging violations of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act and the Telemarketing No-Call List Act. Koster said telephone solicitation calls were made to consumers claiming the company could reduce their credit card interest rates. The lawsuit came as a result of hundreds of complaints filed with the No-Call Division of the Attorney General’s Office. Koster is seeking a civil penalty of $5,000 for each violation of Missouri law, costs of the investigation and prosecution, and all court costs.

“When Missourians register with our No-Call list, they do so with the reasonable expectation that they will not receive these unsolicited, harassing calls,” Koster said. “These businesses are aware of our No-Call laws, and they are realizing that this office will enforce those laws.”

Koster reminds Missourians they can sign up for the Do-Not-Call hotline on his website at www.ago.mo.gov or by calling 1-866-buzzoff (1-866-289-9633). He encourages consumers who receive harassing solicitation calls to file a complaint at 1-866-662-2551.