Pennsylvania Acting Attorney General Jerry Pappert announced last week that Time Life, Inc. will pay $30,000 in civil penalties following claims that it violated Pennsylvania's "Do Not Call" law during its telemarketing sales activities throughout the Commonwealth. The Bureau of Consumer Protection received complaints from 30 consumers in 23 counties who claimed that they were contacted illegally to purchase magazine subscriptions, books and music compact discs. Pappert said an “Assurance of Voluntary Compliance” agreement was reached with the company that resolves alleged violations of Pennsylvania's Consumer Protection Law and Telemarketer Registration Act. Under the agreement, Time Life Inc. admits no wrongdoing.

Under Pennsylvania’s Telemarketer Registration Act, consumers who filed complaints with the Attorney General's Office are entitled to share 10 percent of the civil penalties obtained. In this case, the 30 consumers will each receive $100.

PA Attorney General’s Press Release

What It Means to Agents: In large measure, PIA members comply with the fundamentals of the Do Not Call laws because generally the majority of their telecommunications are with clients. However, new state and federal laws create new details that members must brush up on and include in their expressed compliance procedures. Agencies need to remain fully aware of their state requirements along with the details of all Do-Not-Call rules in the states where they do business, and proceed accordingly.