Koster cites two companies for no-call violations

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster last week obtained a judgment against a Florida company and filed suit against a California business for violations of the state's no-call law.

Koster reached a judgment requiring Florida-based A+ Financial Center LLC and its owner, Christopher Miano, to pay $55,000 for violations of the law. Miano also agreed to pay $25,000 in penalties, according to a news release.

Koster filed suit against A+ Financial Center, alleging it called Missourians on the state's no-call list, claiming the company could lower the consumers' credit-card interest rates or provide credit counseling services.

The Federal Trade Commission, which also has taken action against the company, has alleged A+ Financial Center is one of the companies responsible for millions of pre-recorded phone calls from "Rachel" and "Cardholder Services," the release said.

Koster also last week filed suit against California-based Maximum Security Alarm Inc. for allegedly calling consumers on the no-call list to offer home security services.

Koster is seeking to prohibit the company from calling consumers on the no-call list, as well as civil penalties and investigation and prosecution costs, according to a separate release.

“The attorney general’s office will continue to pursue companies that violate our telemarketing and phone solicitation laws,” Koster said in the release. “Missourians subscribe to our no-call list to avoid being harassed by telemarketers, and this office will aggressively enforce the law.”