[co-author: Stephanie Kozol]*
Illinois Attorney General (AG) Kwame Raoul entered a settlement with Teleperformance Colombia SAS, TPUSA Inc., and Teleperformance SE (collectively, Teleperformance). The agreement resolves allegations that Teleperformance engaged in deceptive marketing practices in violation of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and the Telephone Solicitations Act.
According to the agreement, Teleperformance is accused of issuing Google advertisements that allegedly tricked Illinois consumers into believing they were contacting their public electric utilities, when in fact they were reaching Teleperformance for solicitation purposes. The AG further alleges that Teleperformance conducted nearly 300,000 telephone solicitations with Illinois consumers in violation of the Illinois Telephone Solicitation Act.
The settlement contains several compliance measures. Specifically, Teleperformance is permanently enjoined from using deceptive advertising practices and must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding marketing activities. Additionally, Teleperformance agreed to suspend all marketing activities in Illinois until July 31, 2026. Should Teleperformance resume marketing practices, it must implement comprehensive training and compliance monitoring procedures, including an independent third-party monitor.
Finally, Teleperformance has agreed to pay $10 million to resolve the matter. Of this amount, $8.5 million will be allocated to the Illinois AG’s office for consumer protection purposes, and $1.5 million will cover the fees and costs of the special assistant AGs involved in the case.
Why It Matters
This settlement’s stringent measures, including the suspension of marketing activities until July 31, 2026, and high payment, highlight the AG’s focus on long-term oversight and enforcement. This is also another example of an AG’s office using outside private counsel to attack deceptive practices associated with alternative energy sellers. This settlement serves as a warning for other corporations to ensure that their marketing practices comply with relevant rules and regulations, or they may face similar regulatory scrutiny.
*Senior Government Relations Manager
