The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is getting a little help from a friend – Verizon Wireless, specifically.
The carrier is working with the FTC to support its efforts to go after those annoying auto warranty telemarketers, according to Verizon Wireless spokesman Jeffrey Nelson. “We’re pleased that our effort, on behalf of Verizon Wireless customers, is helping the FTC in their larger effort,” he said via e-mail.
Verizon Wireless customers were the “canaries in the mine,” so to speak, and helped identify the bigger problem, he said.
The spotlight is showing on the telemarketers as the FTC cracks down with lawsuits against several companies. Senators earlier this week called for an investigation.
Verizon Wireless’ success at going after the telemarketers has been well documented. In April, the carrier announced it had stopped several companies from calling its customers to offer extended auto warranties. That settlement, reached in March, barred two companies, National Auto Warranty Services and Explicit Media, from telemarketing using auto-dialers. Verizon donated $50,000 from the settlement to the Joyful Heart Foundation.
Also in April, Verizon Wireless filed a lawsuit to stop several telemarketers from calling its customers and employees with an extended car warranty offer. That suit named Dealers Warranty, doing business as Federal Auto Protection, National Dealers Warranty and Tele Europe.
In March, Verizon settled a lawsuit against Feature Films for Families, a Utah-based telemarketing company, for illegally calling subscribers to advertise the movie “The Velveteen Rabbit.” The telemarketer agreed to a $25,000 cash settlement, which the carrier donated to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
Since 2004, Verizon Wireless has brought nearly 20 lawsuits against wireless spammers, telemarketers and pretexters.