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Ohio AG Wins First Do-Not-Call Settlement
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Attorney General Jim Petro recently reached a settlement of more than $65,000 on behalf of consumers in a lawsuit against Shelterguard Inc., for violation of federal do-not-call laws. The settlement is the first in Ohio under the federal new laws.Shelterguard violated the national do-not-call registry by continuously making calls in order to solicit sales to consumers who had placed their telephone numbers on the registry. A second violation stems from the company's continuous telemarketing calls to people who had previously asked the company not to call them anymore. "This should send a strong message to telemarketers that we will continue to enforce state and federal do-not-call laws," Petro says.The settlement requires Shelterguard to pay $400 to individuals who filed complaints with the Federal Trade Commission or the attorney general prior to the Dec. 9, the date the lawsuit was filed. The settlement also includes payment of $200 to persons who filed complaints after the lawsuit was initiated. This settlement limits consumer damages to consumers who have already filed a complaint. The total amount in consumer damages is approximately $25,000.Shelterguard will pay a civil penalty of $50,000, $25,000 of which is suspended on the condition the company does not violate the settlement agreement. The attorney general's office will receive reimbursement for attorney fees and investigative costs in the amount of $15,000.Individuals who want to report improper telemarketing calls after they have placed their telephone numbers on the do-not-call registry or after asking a company not to solicit them can contact the attorney general's consumer protection section at (800)282-0515. Violations also can be reported online at www.ag.state.oh.us)."