FTC Proposes Ban on Some Payment Methods Used by Telemarketers

Fraud FTC

On May 21, the FTC proposed to prohibit the use of certain payment methods it believes are favored by "fraudulent telemarketers." The FTC's proposed rule would amend the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) to prohibit telemarketers from (i) using remotely created unsigned checks and payment orders to directly access consumer bank accounts, and (ii) receiving payment through “cash-to-cash” money transfers and “cash reload” mechanisms. The FTC explained that allegedly fraudulent telemarketers rely on such payment methods because they are largely unmonitored and provide fewer consumer fraud protections. The proposed rule also would (i) expand the TSR's ban on telemarketing "recovery services" in exchange for an advance fee and (ii) clarify various other provisions of the TSR. The FTC is accepting public comments on the proposal through July 29, 2013.