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"Total Call International has raked in profits by advertising bargain basement prices then charging exorbitant fees when their cards were used," Brown said.
Brown said the May 8 agreement safeguards California's consumers by forcing this company to fully disclose hidden and deceptive calling card fees.
Total Call International advertised low per-minute base rates on its calling cards and then charged consumers steep, undisclosed add-on fees and surcharges when consumers used their cards, Brown said. This significantly reduced the amount of calling time available.
Brown and the California Public Utilities Commission launched an investigation and prepared a lawsuit contending that Total Call International violated a California law that specifically requires disclosure of pre-paid calling card fees, as well as California's false advertising and unfair competition laws.
Brown and the utilities commission today filed a complaint and a stipulated judgment resolving the case.
The stipulated judgment requires Total Call International to:
– Disclose all fees, add-ons, and surcharges in a clear and conspicuous manner and include those charges in the marketing of its per-minute rate.
– Maintain records and allow the Attorney General's office to monitor its activities to determine if Total Call International is in compliance with the settlement and California Law.
– Pay civil penalties of $300,000.
During the course of the investigation, Total Call International agreed to stop charging a "real-time rate surcharges," costing the company $1.5 million in profits. Total Call International did not admit any wrongdoing.
Calling cards, often sold at newsstands and grocery stores, are meant to be a convenient, affordable tool for users that make frequent international calls and may not have regular access to telephone service.
Calling card users should take the following steps to protect themselves:
Make sure you're getting what you pay for- buy a card for a small denomination first to test out the service.
Check with family and friends to find out their experience with calling cards.
Ask the retailer if they stand behind the card if the telephone service is unsatisfactory. It's important to remember that the store where the card is purchased from doesn't control the quality of the service.
Remember that very low rates, particularly for international calls, may indicate poor customer service, or a sign that hidden fees and surcharges apply.
Always look for disclosures about surcharges, monthly fees, per-call access, in addition to advertised rate-per-minute.
Check the expiration date. Some cards expire after a certain amount of time.
Make sure the card comes in a sealed envelope or has a sticker covering the PIN. Otherwise, anyone who copies the PIN can use the phone time you've already paid for.
This is the second case that Brown has filed forcing the disclosure of fees. In 2007, Brown forced San Francisco-based Devine Communications, Inc. to disclose all hidden fees. Florida and New Jersey have also been actively prosecuting similar cases.
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In February, the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) introduced its Water Management Certification Program at the 30th Annual Landscape Industry Show in Los Angeles at the Convention Center.
CLCA's Water Management Certification Program was started in 2007 and helps meet the need to reduce landscape water usage by learning to work with advanced irrigation technology and a water budget. In some cases it also saves money, especially for those with tiered water pricing.
Despite recent rainfall, California is facing its third year of continuous drought and dangerously low reserves. With significant increases in population and reduced resources from previous years, our current water needs are exceeding our supply.
On Feb. 27, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a statewide emergency due to drought and directed state government agencies to implement an emergency plan. Like many cities throughout California Los Angeles Mayor Anthony Villaraigosa has called for mandatory water rationing and strict enforcement.
"In response to our state's dire water situation, we've decided to publicly announce that anyone in California who would like to learn water management may now enroll in CLCA's Water Management Certification Program," said Executive Director Sharon McGuire. "Landscape is an important place to emphasize responsible water usage because most people over water their landscapes by over 50%. Although our industry is quickly coming up to speed, we believe by allowing cities, counties, water districts, facility managers and others who would like to learn to enroll in the program, we can better help California quickly address our water crisis."
An important part of any community, landscaping positively alters the environment, reduces carbon emissions, improves air quality, protects the land, provides food, creates oxygen and sustains life. Plants and trees are also food and shelter for surrounding wildlife.
Using water management along with responsible ecological choices including sustainable landscaping, grasscycling, fire retardant plant choices and more, our state can not only save water, but help protect our environment and shape our future.
The shortage of water is not only a big problem in California but also worldwide. According to the United Nations, nearly two-thirds of the world's population is expected to have limited access to water by 2025.
The current water crisis remains one of the most difficult challenges to date and water availability is an important issue that impacts us all. So far, over 380 people are working towards the final completion of the performance part of the certification program - managing a water budget for a year.
This program was made possible by the strong support of Ewing Irrigation Products, Toro Co., Hunter Industries and Horizon Distributors Inc. who share a strong commitment to water conservation.
Tests and trainings are given throughout the state and schedules are updated regularly.
The next scheduled test is June 4, in Sacramento. Tests can also be arranged based on demand.
For current scheduled test times and dates please click on the link www.clca.org/index.php?v=sgn2&p=7.
To enroll in the program or request more information, please contact David Silva at 916-830-2780 or
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"We are very upset with the path EPA has taken us down and sent that message back loud and clear in today's hearing," said Chairman Tim Holden of Pennsylvania. "If we continue with these provisions in EISA, we will not only harm the biofuels industry but also shortchange a large part of the country before we even get started. We need to expand the reach of biofuels, not hamper the farmer
and forest owner."
"The arbitrary restrictions in the renewable fuel standard will limit the potential biomass to meet the renewable fuels mandate. I am in favor of the development of advanced renewable fuels, but more importantly I am in favor of developing a policy that allows the market to develop next generation renewable energy," said Subcommittee Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte of Virginia.
In December 2007, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) greatly expanded the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and required that all biofuels produced from facilities built after the enactment achieve a reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions.
The law also contains restrictions in the definition of "renewable biomass" that limit the eligibility of feedstocks from federal lands as well as private forestlands.
On Tuesday, the Environmental Protection Agency released its proposed rule for the implementation of the new RFS and opened the period for public comment.
The rule calculates the lifecycle emissions of each fuel, relative to the gasoline or diesel fuel it would replace, and includes emissions from all stages of production. In this process, biofuels are charged with emissions from indirect land use, while gasoline is not.
The provisions discussed Wednesday were last minute additions to EISA that were never debated, and members of the Committee have worked to get them changed for the past two years.
This is the second hearing the subcommittee has held on implementation of the RFS. In the first, held in July of last year, Members discussed the renewable biomass and agriculture producer eligibility.
The opening statements of all witnesses are available on the committee Web site at http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/index.html.
A full transcript of the hearing will be posted on the committee Web site at a later date.
Witness List:
Panel I
– Dr. Joe Glauber, Chief Economist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.
– Ms. Margo T. Oge, Director, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Washington, D.C.
Panel II
– Dr. Bruce A. Babcock, Director, Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
– Mr. R. Brooke Coleman, Executive Director, New Fuels Alliance, Boston, Massachusetts
– Mr. Nick Bowdish, General Manager, Platinum Ethanol, Arthur, Iowa
– Mr. Manning Feraci, Vice President of Fedearl Affairs, National Biodiesel Board, Washington, D.C.
– Mr. Michael Pechart, Deputy Secretary for Marketing and Economic Development, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
– Ms. Anitra Webster, family forest owner, on behalf of American Forest Foundation, Lynchburg, Virginia.
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The May 7 series will feature the return of guest speaker Sandra West, co-owner of the Edgewater Resort and co-facilitator of Mt. Konocti Facilitation, will be giving a presentation titled "Co-Opetition vs. Competition," a concept that creates loyal customers and guarantees them a pleasurable local shopping experience.
West gave her first presentation on March 19 about marketing during tough economic times called “Market your existing customer to create new customers.”
Pam Harpster, program director of Mendocino Works Employment Resource Centers and their Lake County counterpart, Bill Jacobson from the Lake County One-Stop will give a presentation about the local needs of those affected by the current economic situation (lay offs, downsizing, etc.) along with services and opportunities that are available for both job seekers and business owners in Lake and Mendocino counties.
Economic historian and free market advocate Hal Bryan will offer updates on the current market situation and report his progress on the "Blue Lakes Model – A Survival Guide for Small Businesses," with emphasis on event-driven rather than time-driven guidelines.
Sponsors Shannon Ridge and Mendocino Brewing Company will provide refreshments. Shannon Baker will be food pairing with wine and Joan’s English Toffee will provide delicious toffee. The band “Class of 63”, will be providing music for our listening pleasure.
Attendees are encouraged to experience not only the evening, but the hospitality offered at the Lodge At Blue Lakes by spending the entire evening with us and will receive our special “Friends and Family” room discount.
To RVSP for the “Thursday Evenings with the Schmid’s” and accommodation reservations please email
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