Solar Panel Lead Generation Robocallers Who Pitched Energy Savings Settle FTC Charges

reference https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-release ... -pitched-energy
"According to the complaint, announced in March 2016, Francisco Salvat and his companies placed millions of illegal pre-recorded telemarketing calls to consumers on the Do Not Call Registry. The defendants allegedly claimed to be a non-profit organization trying to help consumers reduce their energy costs. Francisco’s brother, Julio Salvat, a co-owner of the companies, was later added to the case."

I know that over the past couple years (definitely since March 2016) my voicemail has received calls like those described in the article, so they probably did not stop until the judgment came down.

Pity that the scoundrels are getting off so easily; the article mentions that they "made millions of illegal robocalls" yet were only fined $1.4 million, which pretty much indicates less than $1 per call.  On top of that the majority of the fine will be suspended provided they pay $155,000, or a little bit more than 11% of the fine.  You have to wonder how little of what they pulled in while running this operation that $155,000 payment will be.  If that percentage is small, no doubt they will be back in business shortly, most likely with someone else as the front man for their new company.

Or they will sell the franchise.  Note that the one brother is not even banned from telemarketing.  But now that everyone knows who they are, they should be filing TCPA lawsuits against them.

What were Francisco Salvat and his companies accused of in the March 2016 complaint, and how did they allegedly deceive consumers?

Reading is an important aspect of learning about something, here is a Summary from the posted link to the Article:

Quote:

Two brothers and the companies they ran have settled a federal district court complaint brought by the Federal Trade Commission and litigated by the Department of Justice, that charged them with running a telemarketing operation that made millions of illegal robocalls promising consumers energy savings in order to generate leads to sell to solar panel installation companies.

This is old News, so why the sudden interest? Thinking of spamming an advertisement or something? Don't bother!