CRTC takes action against telemarketers selling home improvement services

Four Toronto-area companies pay $84,000 in penalties

OTTAWA and GATINEAU, QC, July 23, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced today that four companies located in the Toronto area have paid $84,000 in administrative monetary penalties as part of settlements over violations of the telemarketing rules. The companies, which sell home improvement services, also agreed to put a stop to their current telemarketing practices.

Acting on complaints submitted by Canadians, the CRTC investigated Ecosmart Home Services Inc., Loyal Seal Windows and Doors, Home Comfort Group and Mr. Brian Jones (using the trade name Pegasus Peaks) for alleged violations of the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules. The CRTC found that these companies were making, either directly or through a third-party firm, unsolicited telemarketing calls to Canadians who had registered their numbers on the National Do Not Call List. They also failed to register and subscribe with the List operator before making telemarketing calls.

In addition to paying  administrative monetary penalties, these four companies have committed to ensure future compliance with the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules and to implement comprehensive compliance programs that will include:

• the development and implementation of a corporate compliance program
• the appointment of an internal compliance officer to ensure ongoing adherence to the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules
• an education and training program for employees
• the registration and tracking of telemarketing complaints and their resolution, and
• the implementation of effective enforcement measures for adherence to corporate compliance policies.

The CRTC has also issued a notice of violation to a fifth company, Action Windows and Doors with a monetary penalty of $24,000. This company was also making unsolicited telemarketing calls to Canadians who had registered their numbers on the National Do Not Call List.  In addition, it failed to register and subscribe with the List operator before making telemarketing calls.

The CRTC is continuing to enhance its monitoring to ensure telemarketers follow the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules and to reduce the number of unwanted calls to Canadians. The CRTC can discuss corrective actions with individuals, firms or organizations engaged in telemarketing, which may lead to a settlement that includes an administrative monetary penalty and other corrective measures. It can also issue warnings and citations, conduct inspections and issue notices of violation.

To date, the CRTC's enforcement actions have yielded over $4 million in administrative monetary penalties, which are remitted to the Receiver General for Canada, and $741,000 in other payments.

About the National Do Not Call List

The National Do Not Call List was launched in 2008 to protect Canadians from unsolicited telecommunications. Canadians may register on the National Do Not Call at no charge. Over 12 million numbers are currently registered on the list.

Canadians can register their numbers, verify whether a number is on the List or file a complaint about a telemarketer by calling 1-866-580-DNCL (3625) or visiting www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca.

Quick Facts

• Four home-improvement companies located in the Toronto area have paid $84,000 as part of settlements over violations of the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules.
• A fifth company was also in violation of the Rules and has been issued an administrative monetary penalty of $24,000.
• The Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules are a set of strict rules that individuals, companies and organizations must follow when making telemarketing calls.
• The CRTC is committed to protecting Canadians and is continuing to enhance its monitoring to ensure that all telemarketers follow the rules.
• To date, the CRTC's enforcement efforts have yielded over $4 million in penalties, which are remitted to the Receiver General for Canada, and $741,000 in other payments.

Quote

"We are committed to ensuring that telemarketers respect the wishes of Canadians who do not want to be bothered by unsolicited calls. Thanks to the Canadians who complained about these five home-improvement companies and their telemarketing practices, we were able to investigate and take action against them. Anyone who is registered on the National Do Not Call List and who receives an unsolicited call is encouraged to file a complaint."

– Manon Bombardier, Chief Compliance and Enforcement Officer, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

Associated Link

Notices of Violation

SOURCE: Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

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