ATTORNEY GENERAL VAN HOLLEN ANNOUNCES DEFAULT JUDGMENT AGAINST ARIZONA TELEMARKETER
 

MADISON - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today that his office obtained a default judgment against an Arizona company called Preferred Readers Service, Inc. ("Preferred Readers"), for violating consumer protection laws, the State's "no call" law. The judgment was obtained following the failure of Preferred Readers to file an answer to the State's complaint filed in January, 2008. The State had received complaints against Preferred Readers, which purposes to sell magazine renewal services, since December of 2005.

"Wisconsin's consumer protection laws are designed to protect residents of this State from harassing or abusive sales techniques by companies and we will enforce these laws to every extent possible," Van Hollen said.

The judgment, totaling $17,381.10, completes a lawsuit brought by Van Hollen which charged Preferred Readers, with:

• Repeatedly or continuously causing a Wisconsin consumer's telephone to ring and, in some cases, hanging up on consumers;
• Making false, deceptive, and misleading representations in telephone solicitations;
• Failing to make the proper disclosures in telephone solicitations;
• Failing to register as a telephone solicitor in Wisconsin; and
• Calling Wisconsin residents on the State's "no call" list.

Dane County Circuit Court Judge Diane Nicks found Preferred Readers Service, Inc., to be in violation of all of these Wisconsin telemarketing and consumer protection laws, and enjoined the company from further violations. Judge Nicks also ordered that Preferred Readers Service, Inc. pay $12,233.00 in civil forfeitures, penalties, and statutory costs, and $5,148.10 to reimburse the State its costs of investigation and prosecution, restitution, and attorney fees.

Consumers can sign up for Wisconsin's No Call List by calling 1-866-9NO- CALL (1-866-966-2255) or by visiting the Wisconsin No Call List website at https://nocall.wisconsin.gov/web/registration.asp

The case was referred to Van Hollen's Office following an investigation by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Assistant Attorney General Nelle R. Rohlich represented the State.