Redmond Internet marketing firm fined for misrepresentations |
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Mass High Tech
Redmond Internet marketing firm fined for misrepresentations
Rob McKenna
A Redmond Internet marketing firm has agreed to pay the Attorney General's Office of Washington state a $250,000 fine to settle ongoing legal issues. Visible.net, which also operates under the names Captures.com and WebMarketingSource.com, allegedly misrepresented that it could deliver top Internet search results on behalf of clients.
"Today’s settlement requires Visible.net and Captures.com to accurately represent their services and will enable us to provide restitution for some customers,” said Attorney General Rob McKenna in a press release.
In addition to the fine, Visible.net has agreed to alter its marketing practices. It also must register with the Department of Licensing as a commercial telephone solicitor and agree to not charge consumers' credit cards without their authorization.
The Attorney General's office sued Visible.net and its owner Gilbert Walker in November 2008. At the time of the suit, the Attorney General and the Better Business Bureau had received upwards of 90 complaints about the company.
Earlier this year, a King County Superior Court Judge found that Visible.net had violated the state's telemarketing law. The state plans to keep about $50,000 for legal expenses, with the remaining $200,000 being used as restitution for those small business customers that filed complaints. Those customers will be contacted by mail and will receive full or partial refunds some time in 2012.
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