Bell pays $1.3-million penalty for violating do-not-call list

Bell Canada has agreed to pay an administrative monetary penalty of $1.3 million for violating the National Do Not Call List, the CRTC announced Monday. The penalty fee will be paid into Government of Canada’s general revenues. The CRTC said in a release that Bell made calls between January and October to consumers who were on the list or on the company’s internal do not call list. The commission’s investigation found that independent telemarketers, hired by Bell, made the calls to promote and sell its television, telephone, wireless and Internet services. “Even though the calls in this instance were made by third parties, Bell Canada must ultimately ensure that the rules are followed. We appreciate Bell Canada's willingness to work with us to address our concerns,” Andrea Rosen, the CRTC’s chief telecommunications enforcement officer, said in a release. Bell said in a release it worked closely with the CRTC to investigate the complaints, and found that some of its independent marketers violated both the CRTC’s and its own calling rules. “Bell has terminated its relationships with two telemarketers and suspended several others due to non-compliance with the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules,” Bell said. “Non-compliance with CRTC or Bell calling rules by third-party telemarketers results in immediate corrective action by Bell, up to and including suspension and termination of their contracts.” The CRTC also said it held a separate investigation that found Bell used automated calling devices to communicate with its prepaid mobile customers without obtaining their express consent. The commission said Bell has not admitted fault for using the automated devices, but has agreed to cease making automated calls and to make a payment of $266,000 to Concordia University’s Institute for Information and Systems Engineering. Bell also said it will review its compliance policies with the commission’s telemarketing rules.

Bell pays $1.3-million penalty for violating do-not-call list

Brief | December 20, 2010

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