Mississippi Telemarketing Fraud Laws
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last updated June 20, 2016
Telemarketing fraud is a type of scam where the offender contacts potential victims by placing unsolicited phone calls. Once the victim is on the line, the offender intentionally makes false statements in order to defraud the victim. Common examples of telemarketing scams include sweepstakes or prize calls, get rich quick schemes, and vacation investment rip-offs.
There are both federal and state laws in place that criminalize telemarketing fraud. The following federal laws govern telemarketing across the United States:
- The FTC's Telephone Sales Rule
- The FCC's Telephone Consumer Protection Act
- The Federal Trade Commission Act
The chart below outlines Mississippi's state law governing telemarketing fraud.
Code Section |
Mississippi Code section 77-3-15: The Mississippi Telephone Solicitation Act |
Rules for Authorized Calls |
All telephone solicitations made to consumers in Mississippi must abide by all of the following rules:
|
What's Prohibited? |
Solicitors may not:
|
Penalties |
Punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 for each violation. |
Defenses |
It is a defense that the defendant established and implement, with due care, reasonable practices and procedures in order to effectively prevent telephone solicitations that violate this article. |
"Do Not Call" List
The Mississippi Public Service Commission maintains a No Call List. Telemarketers may not call the phone numbers on this list with unsolicited business. Subscribing to the No Call List can be helpful to protect yourself from telemarketing fraud. Consumers can register by subscribing online or by calling toll free 1-866-622-5567.
Additional Resources
State laws change frequently. For case specific information about Mississippi's telemarketing fraud laws contact a local consumer protection attorney or criminal defense lawyer.
Next Steps: Search for a Local Attorney
Contact a qualified attorney.