The Federal Communications Commission issued a fine of roughly $5.4 million last week against fax broadcasting company Fax.com Inc. for allegedly sending unsolicited faxes. The FCC claims Fax.com, in Aliso Viejo, Calif., violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, which prohibits unsolicited communication, including faxes and phone calls, from telemarketers. Fax.com has 30 days to file a response to the FCC or pay the fine. The FCC is seeking the maximum fine possible: $11,000 per unsolicited fax.

The fine is the largest ever sought by the FCC for violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. "Fax .com appears to have founded its business on the practice of sending unsolicited faxes in flagrant violation" of the act, FCC commissioner Kathleen Abernathy said in a statement. Fax.com appears to have engaged in "a pattern of deception to conceal its involvement in sending the prohibited faxes," the FCC says. Fax.com did not reply to a request for comment by press time.