Vehicle Protection Association Supports Proposed Statutes that Seek to Put an End to Call ID Spoofing

Trade association for automotive service contract firms pledges support to put an end to telemarketing tactics that deceive consumers.

Selbyville, DE (PRWEB) November 18, 2009 -- The Vehicle Protection Association (VPA), an association formed to promote regulatory transparency, education, and accountability for marketing and servicing of automotive service contracts, today announced their strong support for several bills currently working their way through Congress that seek to add stiff penalties for anyone engaging in caller ID spoofing.

Spoofing is the practice of transmitting misleading or inaccurate caller identification information. Disreputable companies use spoofing as a way to get consumers to answer telemarketing phone calls they may not otherwise pick up.

“The Vehicle Protection Association strongly supports any measure that helps us rid the marketplace of deceptive marketing practices that seek only to harm consumers."

Some of the bills currently in Congress are seeking criminal charges for anyone engaging in this practice. The first, S.B. 30, is looking to make spoofing a felony. Sponsored by Senator Bill Nelson, D-Fla., S.B. 30 was approved by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on August 5. In addition, H.R. 1258, which is pending in the House Energy and Commerce Committee, seeks Federal Communications Commission guidelines against spoofing and H.R. 1110, which is also pending in the House, provides for prison terms up to five years for spoofing.

The VPA supports the regulation of spoofing and strongly condemns recent deceptive telemarketing practices perpetrated by a handful of automotive service contract sellers that the VPA insists is not representative of the industry.

"The Vehicle Protection Association strongly supports any measure that helps us rid the marketplace of deceptive marketing practices that seek only to harm consumers," said Larry Hecker, executive director of the VPA. "We condemn these deceptive and unlawful practices and are pleased by legislation such as this that helps in the fight against telemarketing spam and vehicle warranty scams."

The Vehicle Protection Association has been active in reforming an industry in need of restructuring. In addition to supporting measures by the Federal Trade Commission to ban robo-calling, the VPA recently launched a certification-audit program that will evaluate member companies based on a set of established standards.

"The efforts of the Vehicle Protection Association are centered around protecting consumers and ridding the automotive service contract industry of deceptive practices," Hecker said. "We are confident that the actions we have already taken and the new programs we are seeking to roll out will help to create clarity and transparency throughout the industry."

About the Vehicle Protection Association

The Vehicle Protection Association (VPA) is a not-for-profit trade association representing firms that are active in the automotive service contract industry. Members include service contract finance companies, marketers, administrators, insurers, and software providers. VPA currently has more than 50 members. The organization is committed to ensuring regulatory compliance among members, educating consumers on their rights, protecting consumers, and otherwise ensuring the integrity of the automotive service contract industry.

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