Pennsylvania consumers are being targeted by telemarketers who offer to list them on the Keystone State’s do-not-call registry for a fee, according to Attorney General Mike Fisher.
Fisher’s office had been alerted by consumers in northeastern and western Pennsylvania who received calls from individuals claiming to be from the Office of the Attorney General, the Better Business Bureau or the Direct Marketing Association. The callers ask for a credit card or bank account number to either charge or deduct fees for placing targets’ names on the list.
One caller was offered the choice of paying $2.50 a month for 24 months, or a one-time fee of $299 to be placed on the list for 10 years, according to a statement from the Attorney General’s office.
Investigators believe the calls originated from Canada, and will be working with Canadian law enforcement agencies to track down the callers.
"Pennsylvania’s ‘Do-Not-Call’ program is free to residents, and I urge consumers to hang up on anyone who asks you to pay a fee to be placed on the statewide list," Fisher said in the statement.
Fisher also warned consumers not to give out their bank account or credit card information to unfamiliar individuals or businesses.
"Remember, scam artists will say anything to get you to release this crucial financial information," Fisher said in the statement.
