Attorney Generals from Indiana and North Carolina were in the news recently for prosecuting telemarketers guilty of scamming their constituents.

North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper reported that Premier Nationwide Corporation blatantly violated the National Do Not Call Registry offering pre-approved credit cards. Premier required applicants to pay an up-front processing fee of about $379, but few ever received the product.

In response to a Wake County Superior Court judgment, www.newsobserver.com reports the company agreed to: stop making illegal telemarketing calls to North Carolina consumers, and pay $30,000 for consumer education and enforcement efforts.

In Indiana, Attorney General Steve Cater filed a lawsuit against two companies in violation of the state's Do Not Call List. The lawsuit also alleges that one of the defendants used an automatic dialing device, a violation of state law.

According to www.consumeraffairs.com Carter stated, "We will not tolerate the privacy rights of citizens and state law being ignored".

Indiana and North Carolina residents can rest easier knowing their elected representatives are taking proactive steps to eliminate illegal telemarketer activity. We hope other states take note!

If you were one of those scammed by Premier call the North Carolina Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at 1-877-566-7226 by December 31, 2008 to get your money back.