Often, scammers who operate by phone don’t want to give you time
to think about their pitch; they just want you to say "yes." But some
are so cunning that, even if you ask for more information, they seem
happy to comply. They may direct you to a website or otherwise send
information featuring “satisfied customers.” These customers, known
as shills, are likely as fake as their praise for the company.
Here are a few red flags to help you spot telemarketing scams. If you
hear a line that sounds like this, say "no, thank you," hang up, and
file a complaint with the FTC :
You've been specially selected (for this offer).
You'll get a free bonus if you buy our product.
You've won one of five valuable prizes.
You've won big money in a foreign lottery.
This investment is low risk and provides a higher return than
you can get anywhere else.
You have to make up your mind right away.
You trust me, right?
You don't need to check our company with anyone.
We'll just put the shipping and handling charges on your
credit card.
Join the National Do Not Call List
Register your home and mobile phone numbers
with the National Do Not Call Registry. This won’t
stop all unsolicited calls, but it will stop most.
If your number is on the registry and you still get
calls, they’re probably from scammers ignoring the
law. Hang up, and report them at
www.donotcall.gov .
How They Hook You
Scammers use exaggerated — or even fake — prizes, products or
services as bait. Some may call you, but others will use mail, texts, or
ads to get you to call them for more details. Here are a few examples
of “offers” you might get:
Travel Packages . “Free” or “low cost” vacations can end up
costing a bundle in hidden costs. Some of these vacations
never take place, even after you’ve paid.
Credit and loans. Advance fee loans , payday loans , credit
card protection ,and offers to lower your credit card interest
rates are very popular schemes, especially during a down
economy.
Sham or exaggerated business and investment opportunities .
Promoters of these have made millions of dollars. Scammers
rely on the fact that business and investing can be complicated
and that most people don’t research the investment.
Charitable causes . Urgent requests for recent disaster relief
efforts are especially common on the phone.
High-stakes foreign lotteries . These pitches are against the
law, which prohibits the cross-border sale or purchase of
lottery tickets by phone or mail. What’s more, you may never
see a ticket.
Extended car warranties . Scammers find out what kind of car
you drive, and when you bought it so they can urge you to buy
overpriced — or worthless — plans.
“Free” trial offers . Some companies use free trials to sign you
up for products — sometimes lots of products — which can
cost you lots of money because they bill you every month until
you cancel.
Why They're Calling You
Everyone's a potential target. Fraud isn't limited to race, ethnic back
ground, gender, age, education, or income. That said, some scams
seem to concentrate in certain groups. For example, older people
may be targeted because the caller assumes they may live alone,
have a nest egg, or may be more polite toward strangers.
How to Handle an Unexpected Sales Call
Questions to Ask
When you get a call from a telemarketer, ask yourself:
Who’s calling… and why? The law says telemarketers must tell
you it’s a sales call, the name of the seller and what they’re
selling before they make their pitch. If you don’t hear this
information, say “no thanks,” and get off the phone.
What’s the hurry? Fast talkers who use high pressure tactics
could be hiding something. Take your time. Most legitimate
businesses will give you time and written information about an
offer before asking you to commit to a purchase.
If it’s free, why are they asking me to pay? Question fees you
need to pay to redeem a prize or gift. Free is free. If you have
to pay, it's a purchase — not a prize or a gift.
Why am I “confirming” my account information — or giving it
out? Some callers have your billing information before they
call you. They’re trying to get you to say “okay” so they can
claim you approved a charge.
What time is it? The law allows telemarketers to call only
between 8 am and 9 pm. A seller calling earlier or later is
ignoring the law.
Do I want more calls like this one? If you don’t want a
business to call you again, say so and register your phone
number on the National Do Not Call Registry. If they call back,
they’re breaking the law.
Some Additional Guidelines
Resist pressure to make a decision immediately.
Keep your credit card, checking account, or Social Security
numbers to yourself. Don't tell them to callers you don't know
— even if they ask you to “confirm” this information. That's a
trick.
Don’t pay for something just because you’ll get a “free gift.”
Get all information in writing before you agree to buy.
Check out a charity before you give. Ask how much of your
donation actually goes to the charity. Ask the caller to send
you written information so you can make an informed decision
without being pressured, rushed, or guilted into it.
If the offer is an investment, check with your state securities
regulator to see if the offer — and the offeror — are properly
registered.
Don’t send cash by messenger, overnight mail, or money
transfer. If you use cash or a money transfer — rather than a
credit card — you may lose your right to dispute fraudulent
charges. The money will be gone.
Don’t agree to any offer for which you have to pay a
“registration” or “shipping” fee to get a prize or a gift.
Research offers with your consumer protection agency or
state Attorney General’s office before you agree to send
money.
Beware of offers to “help” you recover money you have
already lost. Callers that say they are law enforcement officers
who will help you get your money back “for a fee” are
scammers.
Report any caller who is rude or abusive, even if you already
sent them money. They'll want more. Call 1-877-FTC-HELP or
visit ftc.gov/complaint .
What To Do About Pre-Recorded Calls
If you answer the phone and hear a recorded message instead of a
live person, it's a robocall. Recorded messages that are trying to sell
you something are generally illegal unless you have given the
company written permission to call you.
If you get a robocall:
Hang up the phone. Don't press 1 to speak to a live operator
or any other key to take your number off the list. If you
respond by pressing any number, it will probably just lead to
more robocalls.
Consider asking your phone company whether they charge for
blocking phone numbers. Remember that telemarketers change
Caller ID information easily and often, so it might not be
worth paying a fee to block a number that will change.
Report your experience to the FTC online or by calling
1-888-382-1222.
If you get phone service through internet or cable, you might want to
look into services that screen and block robocalls. Try doing an online
search for “block robocalls.”
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the comment writers alone and does not reflect or represent the views of Victor Duru
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