Recent FTC Action Shows Need for Consumer Protection

WASHINGTON, July 11, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American PrePaid
Phonecall Association, APPPA, announced today that they are in the
process of finalizing a detailed standard for those who provide prepaid
calling cards and other services for those who need an economical way
to call overseas. The FTC recently announced that it filed a lawsuit
against DR Phone Communications, charging that DR failed to adequately
disclose additional fees in the marketing of its prepaid phone cards.

"APPPA was formed mainly for the purpose of setting industry standards
to protect consumers, basically, the immigrants from all around the
world," said Gustavo M. de la Garza, Chairman of APPPA. "We are
adopting this week our first draft of a set of standards that will
prevent the kind of marketing that is alleged in this lawsuit." Also
the Chairman of Vivaro, a large provider of prepaid calling services,
de la Garza said that APPPA is working with the FTC and other
government agencies to make sure that consumers are provided the
services that they are promised, and that all fees and terms are
disclosed.

"The APPPA draft standards address the issue of fees and rates
directly," said Gene Retske, Executive Director of APPPA. "APPPA has
made it abundantly clear that consumers need to be fully aware of any
and all fees on the products sold to immigrants and other vulnerable
consumers." He said that APPPA is going to review its draft standard
with consumer advocates, government regulators and others who look out
for the interest of those who buy prepaid phone calling services.

Chairman de la Garza noted that the APPPA standards are the first time
that prepaid phone call providers have organized for the purpose of
protecting the consumers of these products and services.

"We support the efforts on the part of government regulators to protect
consumers of prepaid phone call services, but the companies that create
the products need to set high standards," said Retske. "That is what
APPPA is about."

About APPPA

The group of industry leaders represents the majority of the prepaid
calling market in the U.S. and created an association to protect the
industry's interests, good name and public trust by providing best
practices, and to speak with one voice for the industry and its
consumers. For more information about APPPA, contact Gene Retske,
Executive Director, at (202) 370-7600, extension 100, or by email,
execdir@apppa.us

The American PrePaid Phonecall Association logo is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=12043


CONTACT: Gene Retske
         American PrePaid Phonecall Association (APPPA)
         Tel: (202) 370-7600 (ext. 100)
         Fax: (202) 370-7610
         Email: gene.retske@apppa.us