Attorney general takes action against two telemarketers

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster's office yesterday took action against two out-of-state telemarketers for alleged violations of the state's no-call laws.

Koster's office obtained a preliminary injunction against Azriel Financial Services and its owner Jaime Chacon, and a temporary restraining order against All in One Service and its owner Christian Serna. Both companies are based in Florida, according to separate news releases from the attorney general's office.

Koster's office filed suit against Azriel Financial Services and received a temporary restraining order in November, prohibiting the company and Chacon from making further solicitation calls to Missourians on the state's no-call list. The lawsuit alleges violations of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act and the Telemarketing No-Call List Act, claiming Azriel Financial Services made hundreds of calls to consumers on the no-call list to tell them the company could reduce their credit card interest rates, according to a release.

The preliminary injunction is expected to keep the call ban in place until the suit reaches a resolution. In the lawsuit, Koster is seeking a civil penalty of $5,000 for reach violation of Missouri law and reimbursement for the costs of the investigation, the prosecution and court costs.

The suit against All in One Service alleges the company made thousands of calls to Missouri consumers on the no-call list claiming the company could reduce their credit card interest rates. Koster's office is seeking a civil penalty of $5,000 for each violation, plus the cost of the investigation and prosecution, and court costs, according to a separate release.

A restraining order sought by Koster's office temporarily prohibits All in One Service and its owner from calling people on Missouri's no-call list.[[In-content Ad]]