Verizon suing 2 telemarketers

[Fire14]

Telemarketers face wrath of Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is suing two telemarketing companies for making unsolicited calls to subscribers.

In separate lawsuits, Verizon Wireless is seeking injunctions against Intelligent Alternatives of San Diego and Resort Marketing Trends of Coral Springs. The lawsuits say the companies made hundreds of thousands of calls to cell phone customers using pre-recorded messages and auto-dialers in violation of the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act as well as state laws.

Based on information from customers and company employees who received telemarketing calls on their mobile phones, Verizon Wireless is asking for a cessation of the continued use of the illegal telemarketing practices and also is asking the courts to award monetary damages.

Federal Communications Commission regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers, Verizon Wireless stated in a release.

In August 2004, the company won a permanent injunction against a group that was "spamming" Verizon Wireless customers with unsolicited text messages.