Not all bad guys use guns. Some thieves just pick up their telephones and rob you. Their schemes cover everything from phony magazine deals to worthless vacation packages. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that Americans lose more than one billion dollars each year to telephone con artists.
POLICE CHARITY
A typical scam is the "police charity." You receive a call from someone who claims to be a member of a local police organization. They ask you to buy tickets or advertisements and tell you that the proceeds will go to the police department or to help disabled children.
In all likelihood the call is from a profit-making company that will keep up to 90% of the money you send them. If you wish to contribute to such a cause, pin down the caller. Ask them if they are a police officer and for what department they work. Then check up on them by calling the chief of that department. Don’t send any money until you’ve checked out the caller.
PROTECTING YOURSELF
Be extremely careful when a sales organization or charity calls you, because anyone can fall victim to these con games. Here are seven specific steps to take to avoid becoming a victim:
- Never give personal financial information such as a credit card number unless you are
absolutely certain of the integrity of the person to whom you are speaking.
- Ask the caller to send you their offer in writing so you can examine it. If they refuse, hang up.
- Ask for the caller’s name, company name, address and telephone number. If the caller won’t give them to you, hang up.
- Never let yourself be rushed into buying something.
- Make certain you know the total cost of your purchase, not just the monthly payments.
- Don’t make any investment or purchase you don’t
fully understand.
- If the offer sounds too good to be true, it is probably a scam. Hang up immediately.
For additional information on protecting yourself from telephone fraud, call our office and request a
free pamphlet on this subject. There is no cost or obligation.
Take care. The money you save will be your own!
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