The Southfield-based charity telemarketing firm Associated Community Services, which has come under fire in several states, has reached a settlement with the Michigan Attorney General’s Office to pay $45,000 for misleading senior citizens it called to solicit donations.
ACS was accused of 430 violations.
According to Attorney General Bill Schuette, telemarketers told would-be donors that the company was on file with the AG’s Office in an effort to allay any fears about handing over their credit card information.
Being “on file” simply means the company is licensed to raise funds for charities. It’s not an endorsement of the firm’s credit card security system.
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In an e-mailed statement, ACS said it “is pleased to have reached a settlement and looks forward to the spirit of cooperation expressed in the terms of the agreement. However, the Attorney General’s office is misrepresenting the central issue. This was never about senior citizens. ACS does not and never has targeted any specific segment of the population through its marketing campaigns. Moreover, we have a system of checks and balances in place to ensure that all donors are followed up with to confirm their desire to pledge.”
Southfield charity telemarketer to pay $45,000 fine for misleading seniors | Detroit Free Press | freep.com
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