Craftmatic To Stop Trying To Get Around Do Not Call List, Says North Carolina AG Cooper

Company used sweepstakes mailings to try to get people to sign away Do Not Call rights

September 4, 2007 -- Raleigh: A company that used sweepstakes mailings to try to get people on the Do Not Call Registry to sign away their right not to get telemarketing calls has agreed to stop, North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper said today.

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“Tricking people into signing away their right to stop telemarketing calls isn’t the way to do business,” said Cooper. “Telemarketers should respect the wishes of people who’ve made it clear they don’t want these calls."

Cooper alleges that Craftmatic of Maryland, which sells adjustable beds directly to consumers, sent contest entry forms to North Carolina seniors that included information authorizing the company to contact them about its products. Consumers who signed up for the contest soon got telemarketing calls from the company, even if they had listed their telephone number on the Do Not Call Registry to stop unwanted sales calls.

Under an agreement signed last week, Craftmatic of Maryland will make a number of reforms to its telemarketing practices including making it clear on any future mailings if signing up will result in telemarketing calls from the company. Craftmatic will promptly stop calling people when asked to even if the consumers’ numbers are not on the Do Not Call Registry or they have previously given the company permission to call.

Craftmatic of Maryland also agreed to follow all telemarketing laws, including not calling people who have signed up for the Do Not Call Registry. The company will train its telemarketers to follow the law and keep detailed records of calls made to and complaints made by North Carolinians.

A total of nine North Carolina consumers complained to Cooper’s Consumer Protection Division about getting unwanted telemarketing calls from Craftmatic of Maryland.

Cooper reminded North Carolinians to sign up for the Do Not Call Registry to cut down on unwanted telemarketing sales calls. Approximately 4 million North Carolina numbers have been placed on Registry since it began in 2003. North Carolina consumers can add their home and mobile telephone numbers to the list by going to www.nocallsnc.com or calling 1-888-382-1222 from the number they wish to register.

To report telemarketers that break the law, consumers can call 1-877-5-NO-SCAM toll-free within the state or go to www.nocallsnc.com to fill out a Do Not Call complaint form. When filing a complaint about a telemarketer, consumers should provide their name and address, the date and approximate time of the call, their telephone number that the telemarketer called, and the company’s name and/or telephone number.

Cooper’s office has taken action against dozens of companies that have violated Do Not Call laws, winning settlements and judgments of more than $1 million against violators.

Source: North Carolina Attorney General