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Telemarketing Fraud

What is Telemarketing Fraud?

  • Using a phone to obtain payment from you for a non-existent or misrepresented product, service, or charitable gift.
  • Using the phone to obtain your personal banking information or credit card number for fraudulent purposes.
  • Offering you a prize for which you must pay the taxes, shipping or delivery.
  • Using the phone to obtain your money fraudulently in any way.

How do I recognize a scam?

  • It sounds too good to be true.
  • Examples: - You’ve won a big prize in contest you don’t recall entering.
    - You are offered a once in a lifetime investment that offers you a huge return.
    - You’re told that you can buy into a lottery ticket pool that cannot lose.
    - The caller is more excited than you are.
    - The person calling claims to be a government official, tax officer, banking official, or lawyer representing the organization.
    - The stranger wants to be your best friend, knows your first name, and asks a lot of personal questions about your family.
    - The caller tells you it’s a limited time offer, pressuring you into making a quick decision.
    - The caller asks if you’ve heard about an exciting discovery or program - have you?

What can I do to protect myself? 

  • Be cautious, you have the right to check out any caller by requesting written information, a call back number, references, and time to think over the offer.
  • Ask who the founder of the organization is.
  • What is the name of the person who made the discovery?
  • What is the name of the hospital or facility where this incredible discovery originated?
  • When was the discovery made?
  • Who can you contact to verify the information being provided to you over the phone?
  • Is there an Internet address they can provide you with to confirm the information?
  • Always be careful about providing confidential person information, especially banking or credit card details.
  • Your best defence is to simply hang up, it’s not rude; it’s smart.

 

You suspect a friend or relative is being targeted by an illegal telemarketer!

  • Watch for these signs:
    - an increase in mail with too good to be true mail offers
    - frequent calls offering get rich quick schemes
    - long or extended phone conversations with unfamiliar persons
    - a sudden inability to pay normal bills
    - requests for loans or cash
    - banking records that show cheques or withdrawals made to unfamiliar companies
    - secretive behaviour regarding phone calls

Remember these tips:

  • Don't forward money for a prize you are told you have won.
  • Never pay for promotional items like pens to claim a prize.
  • Free trips should not cost you anything. Never pay for a free trip.
  • Don't disclose information about your bank accounts or credit cards.
  • Never purchase or invest in any product or company without first checking it out thoroughly.
  • Don't be afraid to hang up the phone when you are pressured for more information or money.
  • Never give money to persons “posing” as bankers, police officers or other officials.
  • Don't allow people you do not know into your house to inspect your valuables.
  • Don't allow your valuables out of your house.
  • Don't allow anyone to do home repairs unless you called them.
  • Always get two or three estimates for home repairs.
  • Always check a contractor’s background with the Better Business Bureau.

If you experience any of the above, or know anyone that is involved in one or more of these situations, call:

  • The Dryden Police at (807) 223-3281 or
  • Phone Busters at 1-888 495-8501
                                http://www.phonebusters.com