Telemarketing fraud victims are of many different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds and range from those with little formal education to those with professional degrees. All ages are affected, although seniors receive a large percentage of the calls. The problem with telemarketing fraud is that it is difficult to tell whether a caller is legitimate, and it is sometimes difficult for people to hang up on telemarketers. Certain individuals, and especially seniors, are targeted relentlessly by telemarketers. This is especially true if the person has already given money to a telemarketer or has been victimized in the past.
Common Telephone Scams
Prize offers: “You are eligible to win the grand prize!” “You have won the lottery!”
There is no prize, or the prize is worthless or overpriced. You are usually told that you have to pay something in advance to get your “free” prize. In most cases, you are told to pay “taxes”, or “handling fees” or “delivery charges” or are forced to buy vitamins or some other product in order to receive your prize. Chances are you will never see any prize or...