OTTAWA-GATINEAU – The CRTC has struck an agreement with two Mexican-based companies selling Cancun vacation packages in violation of Canada’s do-not-call rules.
The Commission said Monday that it received “thousands of complaints” about Marketing 4 Sunset Group and Cancun Unlimited’s telemarketing activities, prompting an investigation which included working with Mexico’s consumer protection agency PROFECO. The investigation confirmed that calls were made on behalf of the two companies to Canadians registered on the National Do Not Call List (DNCL). In certain instances, the calls were made using automated calling devices without prior express consent, while on other occasions, the calls referred to well-known Canadian companies, falsely suggesting a business relationship.
The two companies agreed to subscribe to the National DNCL, as required for all telemarketers; ensure their calling lists are updated every 31 days and do not include numbers on the national DNCL; ensure calls are not made on their behalf using automated calling devices without obtaining prior express consent; review their telemarketing practices to ensure on-going compliance with the CRTC’s telemarketing rules; and, ensure telemarketing calls made on their behalf do not use the names of Canadian corporations to falsely suggest that they are associated.
“This cross-border agreement, which is the first of its kind, is an example of the measures we are taking to shield Canadians from unwanted telemarketing calls,” said Andrea Rosen, the CRTC’s chief compliance and enforcement officer, in a statement. “We will pursue our ongoing efforts to reach out to telemarketers located in Canada and abroad.”
Over 9.8 million telephone numbers have been registered on the national DNCL since its launch on September 30, 2008.
