DM News: FCC Launches No-Call Inquiries

The Federal Communications Commission woke up and started making some inquiries into several alleged Do-Not-Call Registry violations. Among the targets was Primus Telecommunications, according to papers filed by that company. In securities disclosures, Primus noted that it could be on the hook for about $1 million in fines for 96 calls. From the language of the papers, it appears that Primus, as with several other large direct marketing concerns, plans to use the it-was-a-vendor defense.

Many of the country's largest direct marketing concerns contract out their calling to easily-shut-down telemarketing outfits in bankruptcy-friendly places like Florida. These outfits provide a level of deniability for any violations that might occur in the name of the large brand name.