CURRAN SETTLES WITH WINDOW CONTRACTOR CHARGED WITH MAKING ILLEGAL TELEMARKETING CALLS

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today that his Consumer Protection Division settled charges filed against a Linthicum-based window contractor. In May 2005, the Consumer Protection Division charged Chesapeake Window & Building, Inc., 700 B West Nursery Road, Linthicum, MD, with making illegal telemarketing calls when it is alleged to have contacted Maryland consumers who had registered their phone numbers with the national do-not-call registry. Since June 2003, consumers have had the ability to register their phone numbers on the national do-not-call registry if they do not want to receive telemarketing calls from businesses with whom they have had no prior relationship.

Under the settlement, Chesapeake Window agreed to purchase, maintain and update a database containing the phone numbers of consumers who had registered their phone numbers with the do-not-call registry. Chesapeake Window also agreed to ensure that its employees do not violate the national do-not-call rules and not to use any third-party telemarketers unless they too follow the national do-not-call rules. Chesapeake Window also agreed to pay the Division $5,000 for its costs and a $25,000 civil penalty.

"We are pleased that Chesapeake Window has agreed to stop calling consumers who do not want to receive telemarketing calls," said Curran. "I would encourage Marylanders who do not want to receive telemarketing calls to register their number on the do-not-call registry."

Consumers who wish to register with the national do-not-call registry or report other businesses that are making illegal telemarketing calls can contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-888-382-1222.

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