Telebrands violated the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act

Telebrands, the original creator of the “As Seen On TV” logo and products like Ambervision glasses, the SliceOMatic and a few personal care products, has agreed to revise its Interactive Voice Response (IVR) merchandise ordering system and other business practices, and to pay $550,000 to New Jersey under terms of the Final Consent Judgment and Settlement Agreement that resolves the 2014 lawsuit filed by the Office of the Attorney General and State Division of Consumer Affairs.

The state alleged in its 2014 Complaint that Telebrands violated the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act and Advertising Regulations by, among other things, aggressively upselling products through its IVR phone system and websites; subjecting consumers to a lengthy ordering process; failing to provide a means for consumers to decline offers for additional products; failing to provide consumers with an opportunity to confirm the merchandise order prior to authorizing charges; shipping and billing for additional products that consumers declined to purchase; failing to provide consumers with the total cost of their orders; and failing to provide consumers with an opportunity to speak with a live customer service representative when ordering through the IVR system.

Telebrands, founded by AJ Khubani in 1983, markets Callous Clear and Heel-Tastic topical products as well as the PedEgg foot file and the Hurricane Spin Mop.

Under the terms of the settlement, Telebrands, at its expense, is required to retain a Consumer Affairs Liaison for up to a two-year period, with the person subject to the approval of the Division of Consumer Affairs. The Consumer Affairs Liaison, among other things, will monitor Telebrands’ compliance with the settlement terms and applicable laws, facilitate resolution of consumer complaints and provide quarterly reports to the Division.

“We’ve put consumers back in control of the ordering and payment process, through these revisions to Telebrands’ business practices. No longer will consumers find themselves subjected to an onslaught of solicitations for products that they have no interest in, with no way to end the merciless upselling,” acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said.