Illegal calls trigger more than 660 complaints, state lawsuit

AG Zoeller obtains temporary restraining order against Safeline Alert to stop calls now

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller filed a lawsuit and obtained a temporary restraining order against a Florida company accused of Illegally calling more than 660 Hoosiers and offering medical alert devices.

According to the lawsuit, Safeline Alert or Elite Information Services called more than 620 numbers registered on Indiana’s Do Not Call list between June and August of this year. Zoeller said more than 540 of the complainants said they received an automated message or robo-call – which is a violation of the state’s Auto-Dialer Act.

“In this case, the Attorney General’s Office successfully received a temporary restraining order to help stop Hoosiers from receiving any more of these unwanted calls,” Zoeller said. “These actions should send a strong message to those businesses violating the state’s strict telephone privacy laws. Our office acknowledges that our Do Not Call law is not impervious to those who intend to deceive Hoosiers and break the law. However, our commitment to enforcing the state’s statutes remains strong and we will continue to seek new ways to stop these calls and prosecute violators.”

According the Safeline’s website, the company offers products such as medical alert devices and monitoring services. The complaint filed in Marion County alleges the company violated Indiana’s Do Not Call law and Auto-Dialer law. The company also does not have a Certificate of Authority from the Indiana Secretary of State to conduct business.

The Attorney General’s Office seeks a permanent injunction against future calls, civil penalties, consumer restitution and attorney fees.

Since Indiana’s Do Not Call law took effect in January of 2002, the Attorney General’s Office has obtained 296 settlements with, or judgments against, telemarketers resulting in awards of penalties and costs totaling more than $16.8 million.

Do Not Call Deadline

Additionally, Zoeller issued a reminder that the next quarterly deadline to help block annoying sales calls and text messages is August 21. Residential landline, cell, VOIP or prepaid wireless numbers registered by that date should start to see a decrease in calls after October 1 when the list is updated.

Individuals do not need to re-register unless their address has changed. To sign up or to file a complaint, visit www.IndianaConsumer.com or call 1.888.834.9969. Out-of-state area codes can also be added as long as the billing address is located in Indiana.