New York Post agrees to settle 'do not call' case

The New York Post agreed to pay $5,500 to settle claims that telemarketers working on its behalf illegally called residents registered on Pennsylvania's "Do Not Call" list, state officials said yesterday.

Telemarketers working for NYP Holdings Inc., doing business as the Post, contacted residents in the Philadelphia area in February who were registered on the list, state Attorney General Mike Fisher said. Twenty residents complained to the state. The paper was trying to sell newspaper subscriptions, Fisher said. The Post's telemarketers also prevented its name and telephone number from appearing on residents' caller-ID display in violation of laws concerning telemarketers, according to officials.

"It was an unfortunate situation involving an outside contractor. We will fully comply with the terms of the agreement," said Suzi Halpin, a spokeswoman for the Post.