Notice:
Phonetime, Inc. - Prepaid Telephone Calling Cards
The Competition Bureau (the “Bureau”) believes that Phonetime Inc. misrepresented in their advertising the rate per minute, and the number of call minutes available on their prepaid telephone call cards. The Bureau has informed Phonetime Inc. that certain of its marketing practices have raised concerns under the deceptive marketing practices provisions of the Competition Act (the “Act”). The Bureau believes that the rate per minute and number of minutes available for Phonetime prepaid telephone calling cards are not achievable.
In recognition of both the Bureau’s concerns and the importance of providing accurate information to consumers, Phonetime Inc. and the Bureau have files a Consent Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the competition Tribunal which addresses the Bureau’s concerns.
- Pursuant to the Agreement, Phonetime Inc. shall, among other things:
- Ensure that all of its current and future promotional advertising material complies with the deceptive marketing practices provisions of the Act;
- develop and maintain a corporate compliance program designed to ensure compliance with the Act;
- pay a corporate administrative monetary penalty in the amount of $250,000;
- reimburse the Bureau for the costs for its investigation in the amount of $50,000:
- provide restitution to purchasers of Bravo! And Bravo! Atlantic phone cards through the customer service toll free number 1-877-404-0046.
The Consent Agreement can be found on the Competition Tribunal’s website as:
http://www.ct-tc.gc.ca.
For additional information, consult the Competition Bureau’s website at:
http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca.
