View this article online: https://www.claimsjournal.com/news/southcentral/2009/04/28/100023.htm
Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland has filed for and received a Temporary Restraining Order against VSI Vehicle Services Inc. in Oklahoma County District Court. The commissioner has also filed a lawsuit against the company.
These actions follow a Cease and Desist Order issued by Holland last week requiring that VSI stop doing business in the state.
“It appears the company has refused to abide by the Cease and Desist Order and is continuing to call Oklahoma citizens,” said Holland. “I will not tolerate this company’s flagrant disregard of the law and will continue to pursue those responsible until the calls stop and they are held accountable.”
The Temporary Restraining Order, issued by the Oklahoma County District Court, also prohibits the company from conducting business in the state. It applies to VSI and its apparent alias – Warranty Solutions Inc. – as well as two individuals affiliated with the company. As a result, the company, and these individuals, could now be held in contempt of court leading to criminal as well as civil actions if the calls persist.
The lawsuit seeks civil penalties and an injunction that would further prevent VSI from doing business in the state. The company is still subject to administrative fines for any violations to Holland’s previous order that could be as high as $25,000 per offense.
Holland initiated an investigation after the company randomly called an Insurance Department Anti-Fraud Investigator at home. She filed a Cease and Desist Order after discovering the organization was not a licensed service warranty provider in the state and that VSI was, according to the order, making false and misleading statements in the marketing of their products.
The Missouri-based organization frequently sells service warranty contracts by randomly calling potential customers and soliciting their products under the guise of an expired warranty. Holland urges anyone who purchased a product from the company to immediately contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s consumer hotline at (800) 522-0071.
Source: Oklahoma Insurance Department, www.ok.gov/oid