FTC settles phone ‘cramming’ case
The operators of Atlanta-based Wise Media and a marketing firm recently agreed to more than $11 million in settlements with the Federal Trade Commission over allegations they “crammed” charges on consumers’ cell phones without their consent.
Wise Media and its CEO, Brian Buckley, agreed to a judgment of $10.9 million, which is partially suspended due to their inability to pay in full, the FTC said. Concrete Marketing Research and its owner, Winston Deloney, agreed to pay $175,817, the FTC said. The parties are banned from placing any charges on consumers’ telephone bills and prohibited from using any other method to charge consumers for goods and services without making sure the consumers know about the purchase terms and have agreed to be charged for them, the FTC said.
About the Author
Bill Rankin has been an AJC reporter for more than 30 years. His father, Jim Rankin, worked as an editor for the newspaper for 26 years, retiring in 1986. Bill has primarily covered the state’s court system, doing all he can do to keep the scales of justice on an even keel. Since 2015, he has been the host of the newspaper’s Breakdown podcast.
