FRAUD STATEMENT

The American Teleservices Association’s intent is to promote honest, professional Teleservices business practices to protect the public (business and consumer) from fraudulent telephone calls.

The Association recommends that Teleservices professionals act responsibly and use ethical, legal procedures in Teleservices programs targeted at the public (business and consumer).

The Association believes that Teleservices professionals should comply with all Federal and State regulations that govern the Teleservices channel.

The Association does not condone fraudulent practices via the telephone and promotes channel-wide self-regulation along with the support of consumer groups.

ETHICS STATEMENT

The American Teleservices Association recommends both high business standards and ethical behavior for all Teleservices operations.

Through professional programs and activities, the Association attempts to educate its members, the public and legislative groups on ethical behavior for Teleservices programs.

The Association has developed ATA’s Consumer Guidelines that provides consumers information that provides a better understanding of consumer rights.

The Association has developed a Self-Regulatory Organization that allows any business or legal entity to objectively measure Teleservices program integrity and professional performance.
These guidelines have been developed under the premise that professional, reputable Teleservices programs have specific goals, achieved through closely supervised, high-quality performance, with public interest (business and consumer) in mind.

INBOUND STATEMENT

The American Teleservices Association believes that the current Inbound regulations outlined in the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) and Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) represent a fair balance between the concerns of the consumer and the interests of business.

The Association recommends that Teleservices professionals comply with current Federal regulations that govern Inbound calls, and promotes channel-wide self-regulation along with the support of consumer groups.

The Association does not support states attempting to implement and enforce their own, more restrictive Inbound standards that not only frustrate the federal purpose, but impose inconsistent and often confusing requirements on telephone communications.

INTERSTATE TELEMARKETING STATEMENT

The American Teleservices Association supports the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) exclusive regulatory jurisdiction over interstate telemarketing activities, states not having authority to regulate such activities, and state telemarketing-related laws applying to intrastate calling but not to interstate calling.

The Association does not support states continuing to implement and enforce their own more restrictive standards that not only frustrate the federal purpose, but impose inconsistent and often confusing requirements on interstate telemarketers.

The Association believes that state telemarketing laws frustrate Congress’ language that regulation of interstate telemarketing is to be balanced, and to be uniform nationwide.

ESTABLISHED BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP STATEMENT

The American Teleservices Association believes that the current established business relationship (EBR) outlined in the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) and Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) represent a fair balance between the concerns of the consumer and the interests of business.

The Association strongly considers the EBR as the most effective method for consumers to maintain relationships, receive low-cost options, and learn of new types of services provided by companies that those consumers have a relationship.

The Association does not support any attempts to further restrict the EBR and recommends well considered Federal policy in dealing with issues around the EBR.