[news] OT: Deceptive Robocallers Permanently Shut Down In FTC Settlements

[David Ritz]

<http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2013/09/ambrosia.shtm>
<quote>
For Release: 09/13/2013

Deceptive Robocallers Permanently Shut Down In FTC Settlements

Companies Behind Credit Card Rate-Reduction Scams Will Be Banned From
Telemarketing, Robocalling

The Federal Trade Commission has continued its crackdown on illegal
robocallers, with two more companies agreeing to settle charges
that they used prerecorded calls to trick consumers into deceptive
credit card interest rate reduction scams.

Under separate proposed settlements, the defendants behind Treasure
Your Success and Ambrosia Web Design will be banned from
telemarketing and delivering robocalls. They also will be
permanently prohibited from advertising, marketing, promoting, or
offering for sale any debt relief product or service, or assisting
others in doing so.

The FTC filed the initial cases against the operators of both
companies in 2012 as part of a joint-agency crackdown on companies
and individuals responsible for making millions of illegal “Rachel”
robocalls pitching credit card rate-reduction services.

[more]
</quote>

- --
David Ritz <***@mindspring.com>
Be kind to animals; kiss a shark.

[WindsorFox<SS>]

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<http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2013/09/ambrosia.shtm>
<quote>
For Release: 09/13/2013
Deceptive Robocallers Permanently Shut Down In FTC Settlements

Of course I got one of these just last week...

[Joe Sniderman]

Post by WindsorFox<SS>

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09/13/2013
Deceptive Robocallers Permanently Shut Down In FTC Settlements

Of course I got one of these just last week...

AOL. And a couple yesterday too.

Meh.

[WindsorFox<SS>]

Post by Joe Sniderman

Post by WindsorFox<SS>

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09/13/2013
Deceptive Robocallers Permanently Shut Down In FTC Settlements

Of course I got one of these just last week...

AOL. And a couple yesterday too.
Meh.

Talking about this yesterday, since they are robo dialers it is
possible they are set up on some compromised machine somewhere still
running. Of course it's also possible that they just brazenly setup
again in a new state with a new name.

[David Platt]

Post by WindsorFox<SS>
Talking about this yesterday, since they are robo dialers it is
possible they are set up on some compromised machine somewhere still
running. Of course it's also possible that they just brazenly setup
again in a new state with a new name.

I've heard claims that the "Rachel, from Card Services" robocaller is
actually a turn-key software package, for sale on the black-hat fora.
There are said to be multiple, independent groups of scammers using it
(or variations) to try the same basic sorts of scams.

Shutting down any single group is beneficial but will not likely
eliminate the problem.

[TUKA]

Post by WindsorFox<SS>

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
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<http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2013/09/ambrosia.shtm>
<quote>
For Release: 09/13/2013
Deceptive Robocallers Permanently Shut Down In FTC Settlements

Of course I got one of these just last week...

I used to get them constantly, several per week, but none in weeks. I
think at one point I ticked one off with my tactics* and may have been
added to more lists....

* Press 1, then when they answer, say: "I do have a question. Does
your mother know you're a thief?"

[TUKA]

Post by TUKA

Post by WindsorFox<SS>

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1
<http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2013/09/ambrosia.shtm>
<quote>
For Release: 09/13/2013
Deceptive Robocallers Permanently Shut Down In FTC Settlements

Of course I got one of these just last week...

I used to get them constantly, several per week, but none in weeks. I
think at one point I ticked one off with my tactics* and may have been
added to more lists....
* Press 1, then when they answer, say: "I do have a question. Does
your mother know you're a thief?"

I spoke too soon. Just got one. I left the guy claiming that robocalls
were legal....

[BEI Design]

Post by TUKA

Post by TUKA

Post by WindsorFox<SS>

Post by David Ritz
<http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2013/09/ambrosia.shtm>
<quote>
For Release: 09/13/2013
Deceptive Robocallers Permanently Shut Down In FTC Settlements

Of course I got one of these just last week...

I used to get them constantly, several per week, but none in
weeks. I think at one point I ticked one off with my tactics*
and may have been added to more lists....
* Press 1, then when they answer, say: "I do have a question.
Does your mother know you're a thief?"

I spoke too soon. Just got one. I left the guy claiming that
robocalls were legal....

I tell them, very quietly, in my very best Prim Little Old Lady
voice, to masturbate until they die. If they act indignant, I
inform them that the call is being recorded and will be reported to
the Federal Communications Commission.
https://complaints.donotcall.gov/complaint/complaintcheck.aspx?panel=2

[Nick the Amateur LARTist]

Post by TUKA

Post by WindsorFox<SS>

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1
<http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2013/09/ambrosia.shtm>
<quote>
For Release: 09/13/2013
Deceptive Robocallers Permanently Shut Down In FTC Settlements

Of course I got one of these just last week...

I used to get them constantly, several per week, but none in weeks. I
think at one point I ticked one off with my tactics* and may have been
added to more lists....
* Press 1, then when they answer, say: "I do have a question. Does
your mother know you're a thief?"

I used to reply with much worse things than that, but I had to stop that
practice when I got kids...

--
Nick the Amateur LARTist

[m***@privacy.com]

Post by David Ritz
Deceptive Robocallers Permanently Shut Down In FTC Settlements

I got one today.
Told the human they were thieves that called a cell phone on the do not
call list. He, of course, hung up.

[Edward A. Falk]

Post by David Ritz
Companies Behind Credit Card Rate-Reduction Scams Will Be Banned From
Telemarketing, Robocalling

Heh. Like that would actually stop them.

[m***@privacy.com]

Post by Edward A. Falk
Heh. Like that would actually stop them.

I got one the day after the announcement.