Maryland telemarketer fined $490K by PSC

JACKSON — The Mississippi Public Service Commission has fined Joel Katz, d/b/a Fast To Market Corp., of Baltimore Md., a total of $490,000 for violations of the Mississippi No-Call law and rules associated with enforcing the law.

Commissioner Brandon Presley said Katz violated the No-Call law by failing to register and purchase the list and for contacting consumers that had registered for “No-Call.” Katz also used an automated dialing system that uses a recorded voice message that was played to the consumers.

While conducting its investigation, Presley said the PSC discovered that Katz is a convicted felon, and has been previously convicted of bankruptcy fraud, money laundering, conspiracy, and mail and wire fraud. Katz’s previous convictions also involved a telemarketing scheme, which bilked at 16,000 people out of more than $1.6 million, according to Presley.

Katz was served with notice of the PSC’s suit at his parole hearing in Maryland.