Industry News
Beware the Cold Calling Trap Six-figure Fines Add Up for Businesses Calling on the Wrong Consumers By Brian Price
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n late March, four Canadian air duct cleaning companies were assessed a total of $55,000 in fines for making unsolicited phone calls to potential customers. Five additional HVAC companies are facing penalties totaling another $94,000. All nine companies used foreign call centers to make the unauthorized calls, and the Canadian Radiotelevision and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) says it sent warning letters to seven call centers in Pakistan, India and the United States. “It’s important for HVAC companies to understand and know the rules and regulations regarding do not call lists in their country or state,” said Stephen Worrall, ASCS, CVI, CRT and owner of Integrated Clean Air Services. “Companies that violate these rules get hit hard with steep financial fines.”
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Companies Assessed Fines •
Bridge Home Services Inc. – $6,000
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Cambridge Heating Services – $23,000
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HR Home Services – $3,000
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Top Line Air Duct Cleaning Inc. – $23,000
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Aqua Duct Cleaning Services – $9,000
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Goodlife Home Services Inc. – $16,000
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Kareem Duct Cleaning – $15,000
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N. Bro Transport Inc. – $14,000
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Toronto Breeze Air Duct Cleaning Services Inc. – $40,000
Violating do not call laws and regulations comes with a hefty price. HVAC companies interested in using
a marketing call plan to reach new customers should be mindful of do not call laws and lists or risk a fate similar to the nine HVAC companies in Canada. While the U.S. maintains its National Do Not Call Registry (www.donotcall.gov) – a list of phone numbers from consumers who have indicated their preference to limit the telemarketing calls they receive – the name and set of rules for do not call lists vary by country. The U.S. registry is managed and enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, along with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and state officials. “In Canada, you can’t call someone unless they opt in,” said Worrall. “If you do a service for a customer, you can continue to communicate with them for 18 months, but after that you’re not allowed to contact them.” D U C TA L E S
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