Telemarketing Fraud 6554962 Canada, Inc. Naeem Alvi Union Consumer Benefits Action Date: May 21, 2008 Location: Chicago, IL On May 20, 2008, the FTC announced that Union Consumer Benefits was one of 13 cases being pursued by the FTC as part of Operation Tele-PHONEY. According to the FTC, the defendants allegedly telemarketed worthless medical discount packages to elderly consumers throughout the United States. The FTC charges that the defendants used deceptive means to persuade consumers to reveal their bank account information, often pretending they were calling from the Social Security Administration, Medicare or the consumers’ bank. In some cases, they offered “free” benefits or claim to offer a medical discount plan that would save the consumer money on medical care and prescriptions, for a one-time fee. The company then debited $399 from the consumers’ bank accounts and sent them a package containing a prescription discount card that did not work. The FTC also alleged that the defendants violated the law by calling many consumers whose telephone numbers are listed on the DNC Registry.