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Action 9 confronts Orlando-area telemarketers

ORLANDO,Fla — Seniors across the country are saying they've been harassed by robotic calls claiming they've been selected for free medical alerts.

Action 9 reporter Todd Ulrich found at least some of the calls are coming from telemarketers near Orlando. Ulrich said the sales pitch is convincing, but there are risks.

The ads promise life-saving responses with just the push of a button.

Two former Live Response employees told Action 9 that some of the calls came from a telemarketing room near Orlando.

The woman said she quit working for the company.

"Because I feel bad. Because that's just not right. I wouldn't do that to my grandmother," she said.

She claims many consumers were on the federal do not call list. Some claimed they were hit with unauthorized charges, and others questioned why they were going to be billed $35 a month.

"A lot of people say, 'If it's free, why I have to pay anything?'" she said.

Action 9 learned even if customers say they already have the popular product, they are still a target for sales.

"We can cancel out that contract just to get them to sign up with us," said another former employee.

However, many Live Response telemarketers and managers weren't talking.

"We have a lot of questions about calls you're making here," said Ulrich.

"Get out. It's private property," said a manager.

Later, a manager said a Live Response agent discloses all terms, and the telemarketers are selling medical alerts for several different national companies. The manager blamed disgruntled employees for causing trouble.

The company said it pays for numbers not on the no-call list, but mistakes have happened, and an employee was fired after stealing credit card numbers. It said customers who dispute charges get refunds.