Company must pay for 'no-call list' violations

INDIANAPOLIS -- The state will collect nearly $80,000 from 35 companies who violated Indiana's no-call list in the past three months, the attorney general's office said Wednesday.\nThe latest settlements will bring the state's total collections from telemarketers to $235,000 since the telephone privacy law took effect in January.\nThe law prohibits most telemarketers from calling telephone numbers on the state's no-call list.\nAttorney General Steve Carter said that between July and September, 35 companies agreed to pay $79,800 to settle complaints that they violated the law.\nThe latest fines ranged from $500 to $24,800. The largest of the fines will be paid by Chase Manhattan Bank, Carter's office said. Twenty-four of the 35 companies were out-of-state firms, and at least 13 were selling financial services.\nSince January, 80 companies have agreed to pay fines.\nThe state has spent more than $1 million to create and keep the list.\nIn addition to the fines, however, the state has earned several hundred thousand dollars through sales of the list.\nTelemarketers who wish to do business in Indiana must buy a copy of the no-call list, which is price initially was $300 for the list and three updates; now it's $750.\nCarter said nearly 900 firms have bought copies of the list.\nResident can place their telephone number on the state's no-call list by calling (888) 834-9969 or registering online at www.in.gov/attorneygeneral.