No bank bailout for Bank of America in Missouri. Instead, Bank of America handed over $195,000 for violating Missouri State Law.

Attorney General Chris Koster says complaints came from far and wide about Bank of America’s telemarketing practices.

Koster says in addition to paying the state, Bank of America must maintain a comprehensive telemarketing do-not-call program designed to ensure compliance with all applicable Missouri and federal telemarketing and no-call laws.

Koster says no one is too big to be beyond the law’s reach, not even Bank of America. He says the settlement sends the message that the law will be enforced fairly, no matter who’s on the other side.

Koster says Missouri’s No-Call law only includes landlines right now, but he’s optimistic the law will be expanded to include cell phone numbers in the future. Those wanting to register their phone numbers on Missouri’s No-Call list can call 1-866-BUZZ OFF.

Koster reached an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance with Bank of America Corporation as the result of complaints filed by Missouri consumers on the No-Call List who received unwanted telephone calls from Bank of America and third-party affiliates. The AVC was filed in St. Louis City Circuit Court.

“This case is another example of how the Attorney General’s office continues to aggressively enforce our No-Call laws,” Koster says. “We investigate all complaints received from Missouri consumers, and when appropriate, we take action against the telemarketer in question.”

Missourians can file a complaint about receiving unwanted solicitation calls on his website at www.ago.mo.gov.

Jessica Machetta reports [Download / listen Mp3, 1:10 min.]