Public Fairness AssessmentTM
Initiated by: S.T.

Phone owner vs robocalling National Health Agents

(National Health Agents violated FTC and FCC rules about telemarketing, Do Not Call lists, and robocalling)
Public verdict: $1,500 in compensation, plus the name of its lead generation company that uses robocalling, if it's an outside company.
88 jurors voted to form this verdict and were awarded 1,760 RHU. Check your balance to see if you qualified. Log in
Parties has been invited to settle under the public verdict or make a counteroffer
Case description
I received a call I believed to be from a local business. It turned out to be a robocalling company using a 'spoofed' number to try to sell me a health insurance policy. I pressed the appropriate buttons to agree that no, I was not on Medicare, and yes, I needed health insurance, so that I could get through to a live agent.

The person I eventually spoke to, George, was not a scammer from a different country (like a "Microsoft Tech" scammer) or one of those creepy robotic voices in local accents that are generated by people pushing buttons to get you to make "charitable donations.".

George is a clearly educated American, pitching real insurance policies. He readily told me which company he works for (National Health Agents) and where to find their website and phone number.

Both the US Federal Trade Commission and the US Federal Communications Commission forbid National Health Agents from calling me.

a) Sales calls made via robocalling are subject to penalties of $1500 (soon to be more) and
b) calling someone on the FTC Do Not Call list is subject to penalties of up to $40,000 per violation.

The FCC and the FTC try hard to fight this hydra-headed monster, but their process is slow. Our phone companies could help, but don't. No-one dares answer their own phones any more because illegal sales calls and scam calls are so prevalent. I'm now getting angry voice messages and texts from people who think *I* am calling them - my own number is being spoofed by these creeps.

It is time for all phone-owners to go after unethical businesses and make it unprofitable for them to break the law by masking their illegal activities. Yes, I want them to pay me for my time and for infringing on my "right to be left alone," and essentially robbing me of the phone service I pay dearly for. Anyone who owns a phone should want the same thing for themselves.

I'm done with advice to never answer my own phone. I'm done with having MY NUMBER used to illegally call other people.
175 total voters
How the public voted
Verdict
88 votes
"$1,500 in compensation, plus the name of its lead generation company that uses robocalling, if it's an outside company."
53 votes
"$500 in compensation, plus the name of its lead generation company that uses robocalling, if it's an outside company."
34 votes
"$1 million to be paid to the FTC as prize money for its annual competition seeking a solution for this kind of call."
See who voted: 8 jury categories.View more

What happens next

Disputing parties will be invited to resolve the matter based on this public verdict. If the parties have agreed beforehand to use the results to arbitrate the case the verdict will be binding. If not, the results are nonbinding but can be used as input to guide further negotiation. Depending on the case, results may be distributed to other interested parties such as regulators and media.