Total Call Mobile to Pay $30 Million Fine, Lose Lifeline Eligibility
Total Call Mobile agreed to pay $30 million to resolve fraud investigations by the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York into allegations the company “enrolled tens of thousands of duplicate and…
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ineligible consumers” in the Lifeline program, the FCC said in a Thursday news release. Total Call admitted to engaging in “fraudulent practices” and will permanently lose its authorizations to participate in the Lifeline program anywhere in the U.S., the FCC said. FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Travis LeBlanc said: “This unprecedented $30 million settlement along with a permanent ban from the Lifeline program affirms our commitment to pursue the strongest sanctions for those who defraud or abuse the Universal Service program.” Total Call admitted hundreds of its sales agents enrolled duplicate and ineligible subscribers into the program through the use of “fake and repeated eligibility cards” and false subscriber information, the FCC said. “Total Call also admits that its managers failed to take corrective action when they received reports of these fraudulent activities and failed to put in place systems to prevent fraudulent conduct.” The company couldn't be reached for comment.