FTC Accuses Telemarketers of Bilking Consumers in Scam Using False Amazon Tie

Five telemarketing companies and three individuals were accused by the FTC of a "worthless money-making" scheme using a purported link to Amazon and a "phony" grants program that bilked debt-laden consumers, seniors and veterans, said the commission in a Friday news release. The commission voted 3-0 to approve the complaint and the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, at the FTC's request, issued a temporary restraining order against the defendants, stopping their operation. The defendants, charged with violating the FTC Act and Telemarketing Sales Rule, are Blue Saguaro Marketing, MarketingWays.com, Max Results Marketing, Oro Canyon Marketing, Paramount Business Services. Individuals named are Stephanie Bateluna, Stacey Vela and Carl Morris Jr. The FTC alleged the telemarketers falsely told consumers they represented Amazon.com and would develop a website for hundreds and thousands of dollars and link it to Amazon. The defendants claimed consumers would "earn thousands of dollars every month in commissions for sales via the website" and also falsely offered to advertise such websites, the commission said. The defendants also claimed to represent the government, offering to help consumers get government and corporate grants within 90 days for paying down debt or medical costs if consumers gave thousands of dollars up front, said the FTC. But it said consumers received no money from the schemes and defendants ignored complaints and provided no refunds. Phone numbers called for a couple of the companies, which were based in Arizona or Nevada, were either busy or no longer in operation. A woman who answered an Arizona number linked to Stephanie Bateluna said no one by that name lived there. Numbers for other companies and individuals couldn't be found.