Ads for Remote Response ran on Telemundo, Telefutura, Galavision and other Hispanic television outlets offering credit cards and other benefits. But according to the Federal Trade Commission, RR failed to deliver the goods, and is now mailing checks back to its victims.
According to FTC, the ads were “…deceptively claiming to offer a pre-approved, guaranteed Amerikash Mastercard and a number of incentive items, including free ATM cards, phone cards, and vacation vouchers. The defendants’ telemarketers also offered a free trial membership in the Amerikhealth discount health plan, which consumers had to cancel before the free-trial period expired to avoid monthly charges.”
The goods didn’t always show up, but the fees were collected, often without authorization. FTC said that the “…complaint alleged that in numerous instances, consumers never received a MasterCard, received only some or none of the free items defendants offered, and that the items consumers received often did not work. The complaint also alleged that defendants thwarted consumers’ efforts to cancel during the free trial period, and improperly charged consumers without authorization.”
As part of a settlement agreement, RR is sending checks to 22,154 consumers who lost money to the scam.
RBR-TVBR observation: For awhile there, a few years ago, we used to wonder if regulatory agencies like FTC and FCC were staffed adequately to monitor airwaves upon which business is conducted in a language other than English. The evidence clearly shows that they are.
