Alleged Phone Scammers Fined More Than $26 Million

An Arizona-based telemarketing operation that identified itself as “Helping Hands of Hope” has paid $26.3 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it misled consumers into buying substantially overpriced household items by falsely promising the proceeds would benefit charities or the disabled, according to the FTC.

Named as defendants were: Helping Hands of Hope Inc.; U.S. Blind Services Inc., Employment Opportunities of America Inc., Third Strike Employment Inc. and Robyn Mayhan, according to the FTC.

According to the Commission, the defendants used telemarketing to target consumers nationwide, including many who were elderly. In addition to making false promises, they allegedly harassed consumers who resisted buying products, sent consumers products they never ordered.

The FTC also charged that they violated the National Do Not Call Registry rules by calling consumers even after they had asked not to be called again.

The Commission also said this settlement prohibits the defendants from misrepresenting, or assisting anyone else in misrepresenting, that:

*A consumer’s purchase will benefit handicapped or disabled people.

*Anyone working for the companies is handicapped or disabled.

*Any of the companies’ products are made or packaged by the handicapped or disabled.

*Any company operates a charitable organization.

This case is on file at the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.