Illinois AG Sues Alleged Crammer

A firm that allegedly preyed on small businesses, cramming their phone bills with charges, has been slammed with a lawsuit by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

YP.com, incorporated as Live Deal Inc., called on owners, purportedly to “confirm” their information for Free Yellow Pages listings.

The listings were free for 30 days, but the Las Vegas firm then added a $35.95 monthly fee onto the victim’s phone bill without permission, the suit alleges.

“The company defrauds small business owners by adding unauthorized charges to their bills,” Madigan said in a statement. “I urge consumers to review their monthly phone bills to ensure they’ve authorized all the charges.”

Madigan’s office said it had received 21 complaints about YP.com.

The AG is asking the court for civil penalties of $50,000 and refunds for consumers, and an order prohibiting it from cramming, Madigan’s office stated.