FTC busts scammers misusing CA's name.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and several states' attorneys general took legal action against telemarketers that preyed on consumers (particularly the elderly) by promising to "clean up" their personal information "all over the internet" if they paid a high fee. Consumer Alert was notified of the scam when consumers contacted staff to let CA know that some of the telemarketers were using CA's name as one of their aliases. (See also, Consumer Comments, Spring Vol. 25, No. 2)

According to the FTC, the alleged perpetrators used these various aliases: "R&R Consultants Inc.," "Peace and Quiet," "Coast to Coast Cost Benefits Inc.," "Consumer Information Services," and "Consumer Alert Agency." FTC staff indicated that a preliminary injunction was issued against the principals in the scam.

The telemarketers started their sales pitch by telling consumers that their personal and financial information was widely available on the Internet. They offered to remove the information for a hefty fee and asked the consumers to verify their bank account, credit card or social security numbers. Some of the telemarketers even claimed to represent a particular bank.

In addition to bringing these cases through the federal-state "Operation Ditch the Pitch," the FTC is launching a consumer education campaign, including a redesigned Web site on telemarketing fraud (www.ftc.gov/telemarketing) to aid consumers in telling the difference between con artists and legitimate telemarketers.

As a general rule, never give out personal or financial information over the phone to unsolicited callers. If you believe that you have been the victim of a telemarketing scam by someone claiming to be with the "Consumer Alert Agency," please contact us by phone at [phone] or email at [e-mail].