or "low-cost" vacation. These costs can add up
to more expense than a regular vacation or may not come to pass at all.Telemarketer Fraud
There are several common telephone scams. Among them are the Sweepstakes/Contest, Travel Packages, Vitamins and other health products, Investments, Charities and Recovery Scams. In the Sweepstakes/Contests scam the victim usually has to do something to get their "free" prize. The victim may be required to attend a sales presentation, buy something or provide a credit card number.
In the Travel Package scam, there are hidden expenses associated for
or "low-cost" vacation. These costs can add up
to more expense than a regular vacation or may not come to pass at all.
Telemarketing sales pitches for vitamins and other health products usually include a prize offer. The prize is of little value and the product costs a great deal.
Investments as a "get rich scheme" that promise high return for little or no investment cause people to lose millions of dollars each year.
Con artists often will label their phony charity with a name that sounds like a well known, reputable organization.
Recovery scams occur after the would be victim has already been the victim of a previous scam. The caller will promise to get back or recover the victim's money, for a fee.
If you answer the telephone, and the caller says the following, it would pay you to beware.
You must send cash, give a credit card number or provide a bank account number.
You must have a check available for pickup by courier, overnight delivery service or anyone else.
You have won a "free" gift, vacation or prize and all you have to do is pay for postage and handling or other charges.
You have to act "now" or this offer won't be good.
You can't afford to miss this "high profit, no risk" offer.
Here are some helpful hints that may help you avoid being swindled:
Don't purchase goods by telephone when contacted by unfamiliar companies. Ask for written information about any offer or charity.
Always check out unfamiliar companies with the Illinois Attorney General's Office or local Better Business Bureau.
Never send money or give your credit card or bank account numbers unless you are absolutely sure the company is legitimate.
Follow the advice: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
The Federal Trade Commission has issued rules for telemarketers:
Must call between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Must not call again after people have said they don't want to be called.
Must not provide misleading information about products and services.
Must not access bank accounts without authorization.
If you have been a victim or have information about a Telemarketing scam, contact your local police or sheriff's department or the Illinois Attorney General's Office at 1-800-252-2518 (Springfield) or 1-800-243-0607 (Carbondale)