FTC Updates Senate on Efforts to Combat Robocalls
Since the FTC began enforcing the Do Not Call provisions of the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) in 2004, the Commission has brought 131 enforcement actions seeking civil penalties.
Alarming Change to TSR Impacts Soundboard Technology
The Soundboard Association (SBA) lost its battle to prevent implementation of the November 10, 2016 FTC Staff Opinion Letter to the telemarketing industry on avatar or "soundboard" technology.
How can my compliance training solution or internal testing program help win my TCPA/TSR case?
Recall that both the TCPA and TSR provide a limited "safe harbor" defense against certain law violations. In order for you to claim the DNC safe harbor defense in a TCPA/TSR case, you must first have these process in place.
FTC Raises Certain Fines to $40,000 a Pop!
The FTC, in order to adjust for inflation over the last several years, has raised the civil penalty for certain law violations from the previously large $16,000 amount, to a staggering $40,000. Effective August 1, 2016.
The new TSR rules regarding higher risk payment methods take effect
The TSR changes regarding certain types of payment methods, which were announced in November of 2015, have now taken effect. The new FTC rules are aimed at stopping telemarketers from dipping directly into consumer bank accounts.
Changes to the TSR have now been published in the Federal Register
On December 14, 2015 the changes by the FTC to the TSR were published in the federal register. This means that we now know when the changes will go into effect.
FTC amends the Telemarketing Sales Rule
On November 18, 2015 the FTC announced changes to the Telemarketing Sales Rule (“TSR”). The FTC’s changes are primarily directed towards protecting consumers from fraud, including by prohibiting telemarketers from using certain payment methods.
Don't forget about the TSR! FTC attorney reminds businesses about TSR Robocall compliance
In a recent post to the FTC’s Business Blog, FTC attorney Bikram Bandy answered some basic questions about complying with the robocall provisions of the Telemarketing Sales Rules (“TSR”). Similar to the FCC’s rules issued pursuant to the TCPA, the FTC prohibits certain robocalls. According to Bandy:
FTC Wins Partial Summary Judgment Against Dish Network for DNC Violations
The U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois issued a major order granting partial summary judgment on December 12, 2014 against Dish Network. In the order the Court found that Dish Network was liable for millions of calls in violation of the TSR.