Agency: Federal Trade Commission (FTC)Washington
Description:
On February 13, 2017, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a Complaint for Permanent Injunction and Other Equitable Relief against this company, its affiliate ABC Hispana, Inc., & Principals Gonzalo Ricardo Bazán Jiménez and Milagros Raquel Urmeneta for violations of the FTC Act and the Telemarketing Sales Rule. According to the complaint, the company sold booklets, CDs, DVDs, tablets and a Spanish-English dictionary, and threatened to sue, arrest or jail consumers, or seize their homes, if they didn’t pay. In addition, the telemarketers claimed to be affiliated with the Government, well known retailers, and a Spanish-language radio station.
The company spoofed phone numbers making it appear that their calls were coming from emergency responders or people the individual listed as references to fool them into answering calls. They stated that the people were specifically chosen for a language course and they would receive personal instruction for $199 to $799, which they claimed was up to 80 percent off the regular price. The telemarketers allegedly often told consumers they had won a Samsung or iPad tablet computer they could have by paying $200 for shipping and handling, taxes, insurance, or a warranty. But the tablets were generic brands and older models, and there was no insurance or warranty.
When consumers declined a sales pitch or canceled delivery, the telemarketers allegedly said they were lawyers or government officials and made threats for nonpayment. In some cases, even after consumers paid, the telemarketers kept calling and making false claims and threats.
Details of the complaint can be found here.
Date of Action: 2/13/2017
Agency: Federal Trade Commission (FTC)Washington
Description:
On April 18, 2017, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) obtained an Order for Preliminary Injunction with Asset Freeze and Other Equitable Relief shutting down the operations of this company, its affiliate ABC Hispana, Inc., & Principals Gonzalo Ricardo Bazán Jiménez and Milagros Raquel Urmeneta. On February 13, 2017 the FTC filed a complaint against the company alleging it violated the FTC Act and the Telemarketing and Consumer Abuse Prevention Act.
The Court ordered a preliminary injunction and asset freeze because it believed the defendants will continue to violate the laws, will cause further harm to consumers, and fear that if the action is not immediately taken relief to affected consumers is in jeopardy because they have good cause to believe the company will sale, transfer, destroy, dispose, or conceal the assets.
Under the Order the company is restrained and enjoined from misrepresenting or assisting others who are misrepresenting who they are, their affiliation, that the consumers have won products, and other misrepresentations mentioned in the initial complaint.
Read the Order in its entirety here.
Date of Action: 4/18/2017