Look Out!

Telemarketing fraud

Warning signs

• High-pressure sales techniques.
• Insistence on an immediate action.
• Offers that sound too good to be true.
• A request for your credit card number for any purpose other than to make a purchase.
• An offer to get your money quickly (e.g., pay for overnight mail, send someone to your home or office to pick it up).
• A statement that a product or service is free, followed by a request that you pay for something.
• Claims of an investment that is "without risk."
• Inability or refusal to provide written information or references about the company, product, service, or investment.
• Suggestions that you should make purchase or investment based on "trust."

How to avoid being a victim

• Don't be pushed into a decision.
• Request written information about organization and product or investment.
• Don't buy anything on terms you don't fully understand.
• Request the name of the federal agency by/with whom the firm is regulated or registered.
• Investigate the company or organization.
• Find out about refund, return, and cancellation policies.
• Don't believe testimonials you can't verify.
• Don't provide any personal financial information.
• If you must, hang up!