Avoiding telemarketing scams
You and your family are sitting down to dinner and like clockwork, the telephone rings. The voice on the other end of the line speaks in a slow, robotic voice, like someone reading a fill-in-the-blank script. He is soliciting donations on behalf of some wonderful-sounding cause like, say, the “American Firefighters’ Gifted & Talented Amputee Fund.” You are asked to contribute whatever you can. Just give the guy reading you his script your credit card number and he will do the rest.
Not all of these calls are scams. Some are on the up-and-up. But both varieties can easily be eliminated and your dinnertime can be family time once again. Just head over to https://www.donotcall.gov, register your phone number and most of these cold-call solicitations will magically go away. Another smart thing is to upgrade your phone package to include features like Caller I.D.
However, some of these nuisance calls may persist. The more unethical the culprit behind the scheme, the more likely they will find your number and dial it. And there goes your dinnertime.
Spotting the bait
These scam artists will often bait their hooks with tantalizing prizes. Of course, you usually have to do something to get your “free” prize, like attend a sales presentation, buy something, pay a fee or give out a credit card number. But the prizes are either worthless or overpriced.
* Travel Packages. “Free” or “low cost” vacations can end up costing a bundle in hidden costs. You may pay a high price for some part of the package—like hotel or airfare. The total cost may run two to three times more than what you’d expect to pay, or what you were led to believe. Some “bargain” vacations may never happen at all.
* Investments. People lose millions of dollars each year to “get rich quick” schemes that promise high returns with little or no risk. These can include movies or cable television production deals, Internet gambling, rare coins, art or other “investment opportunities.”
* Charities. Con artists often push you for an immediate gift, but won’t send written information so you can check them out. They also may try to confuse you by using names that sound like well-known charitable organizations or even law enforcement agencies.
* Medical Discounts. If you’re considering signing up for a medical discount plan, be aware of scam artists who are reportedly contacting seniors claiming to represent providers. All they really want is your personal information so they can commit financial fraud.
A few rules to protect your family from fraud
* Never be pressured to make an immediate decision.
* Upgrade your phone plan to include features like Caller I.D. to help screen your calls.
* Never give your credit card, checking account or Social Security number to unknown callers.
* Don’t pay for something merely because you’ll get a “free gift.”
* Get all information in writing before you agree to buy.
* Check out a charity before you give.
* Don’t confirm your account information over the phone.
* Check out unsolicited offers with the Better Business Bureau, local consumer protection agency or state Attorney General’s office before you agree to send money.
* Don’t be afraid to say “no thanks” and hang up the phone. After all, that is one of the best features that come with every single home phone––the ability to hang it up.
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