The Federal Trade Commission has issued a final judgment that permanently shuts down Vector Direct, and settles all charges against principals Mike Stafford and Lisa Miller. The couple was charged with selling $34.95 call screening devices for $399, after telling prospects that their names and a variety of personal and financial information were on telemarketing lists.
According to the FTC, the couple promised to remove the personal information from the lists, and then told them that the call screening device would help guard against identity theft.
The FTC injunction prohibits the couple from making false statements to customers about their financial information, and from billing customer accounts without permission, which they are alleged to have done. It also prohibits them and their associates from advertising or selling products via telemarketing.
Stafford and Miller also had a fine of nearly $811,000 levied against them, which was suspended due to their inability to pay, the FTC said.
The FTC’s initial complaint charged the couple with two counts of violating the FTC Act, and three counts of violating the Telemarketing Sales Rule. It was filed against the Arizona-based company on Feb. 2. The final order was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona at Phoenix.
Network
