OTTAWA–GATINEAU – The CRTC has fined three Canadian-based companies and two Indian-based call centers more than $640,000 for making telemarketing calls to Canadians.
The notices of violation, issued Thursday, allege that the five companies failed to respect the unsolicited telecommunications rules by making telemarketing calls to Canadians whose phone numbers are registered on the national Do Not Call List (DNCL), without being registered with the national DNCL operator, and without having purchased a subscription to the list.
The telemarketers were attempting to sell anti-virus software, and falsely identified themselves as representatives of Microsoft Inc., the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or Government of Canada officials. During some calls, the telemarketers asked to be given remote access to the home owner’s computer under the pretext of removing viruses and other malicious software.
As part of this investigation, the CRTC executed its first warrant to enter and inspect a property serving as one of the companies’ base of operations in Brampton, ON.
Canadian-based Thee Future Web Ltd. was fined $194,000; 8166200 Canada Inc. was fined $76,000 and NextGen Webstore Ltd. was dinged for $56,000. The companies have 30 days to either pay the penalty or file representations to the CRTC.
The notices of violation issued to the two India-based call centres are currently with the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation for service on the two companies. One notice is accompanied with a penalty of $292,000 and the other $25,500. Once served, those companies will also have 30 days to either pay the penalty or file representations to the CRTC.
“When making calls to Canadians, companies must follow the telemarketing rules, regardless of where they are located. As this investigation shows, we are prepared to use all the tools at our disposal to protect Canadians from unwanted telemarketing calls which originate in Canada or abroad”, said CRTC chief compliance and enforcement officer Manon Bombardier, in a statement.
The CRTC added that it collaborated with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Peel Regional Police, the Forensic Accounting Management Group (Public Works and Government Services Canada), the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement in India on this investigation.
To date, the CRTC’s investigations have resulted in almost $6.5 million in penalties, which are remitted to the Receiver General for Canada.
