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Robocalls are machine-generated calls that use an automatic dialer system to deliver recorded or artificial messages to large numbers of people. Robocalls are increasingly used in political and telemarketing campaigns.

However, with rising complaints against unsolicited robocalls, authorities are keen to take strict actions against the companies that misuse such systems.  

In a recent development, Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster has filed lawsuit against alleged illegal robocalls initiated by M.A. Infinity Marketing.

Koster alleges that Ohio-based M.A. Infinity Marketing has placed harassing telemarketing calls in violation of Missouri’s No Call Law (case No. 1311-CC01147).

The lawsuit was welcomed by several others in the industry.

The Vehicle Protection Association, a not-for-profit trade association promoting regulatory transparency, education and accountability for marketing and servicing automotive service contracts, applauded the move, stating that the lawsuit will help ensure robocalling does not plague the industry.

“The Vehicle Protection Association supports Attorney General Koster in prosecuting illegal robocalling,” said Chris Carenza, executive director of the VPA, in a statement. “Although these calls were soliciting health and life insurance, this lawsuit is in line with the VPA’s own efforts to ensure that robocalling scams do not plague the vehicle service contract industry as well.”

In his lawsuit, Koster is seeking to stop the company from making any future calls to citizens on the No Call list and to impose penalties of up to $5,000 per violation of the No Call Law.

Carenza recalls that robocalling infiltrated the vehicle service contract industry several years ago by selling “warm transfer leads” to marketers. After being prosecuted by law enforcement agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC (News - Alert)), a number of those who participated in illegal robocalling were forced to pay severe penalties.

“Back then the VPA and its members stood up to robocalling by banning the practice, thus protecting consumers and bettering the industry,” said VPA legal counsel Helen MacMurray. “Today, the VPA again stands up to robocalling by lauding the efforts of law enforcement and maintaining its zero tolerance policy.”