How To Protect Yourself From Telephone Fraud
The term cold call refers to calls made predominantly by telemarketers who are trying to sell you something. The call is referred to as cold because they have no information about you other than what they purchased off a list. Usually, they have your name, phone number and address. This call is not made because you willingly signed up for some service or product, it is made because they want to make a sale. Unfortunately, not all the products they sell are legitimate.
There are ways to protect yourself from this type of call. Residential phone number can be placed on a do not call list that will prevent telemarketers from calling you. Once you have put your number on the list, it will take a period of a few weeks for the do not call to go into effect. If you receive a call in this period of time, tell them your number is on the list. They will disconnect the call, they legally have no other choice.
When you receive a call using scare tactics, do not fall for it. You can be told anything from your mortgage is past due and they are going to repossess your home to your child in lost and in trouble. Whatever you are told, do not give out your credit card number. Hang up the phone and check whatever information you were given with your own sources. Chances are you will find out the information was a scam designed to get your money.
Also, remember called ID was invented for a reason. If you receive a call that shows up as private, unknown or blocked, you do not have to answer your phone. Any legitimate caller will leave a message. There is nothing wrong with sending a call to your voice mail or answering machine. When you do answer your phone and realize this is indeed a sales call, simply say no thank you and hang up the phone. If you argue or antagonize these people, they will continue to call. Always remember, their goal is to make money, if you are polite and simply hang up, they will move on to the next call.
The most well known scam is a call telling you that you have won a great deal of money. You simply have to pay a small fee by credit card for processing. Do not do this, never give your credit card to someone you do not know.
As I recognize telephone advertising – opinion research
Unknown Business
Initially if a business is unknown and already calling homes for customers it is a red flag. Not being able to be found online is the biggest test of this new wave of marketing.
Credit Card Information
Asking for credit card information from the first phone call is not recommended for any company unless they are legit. If you can’t find them online and if they have no true reference for calling you then it is best for them to be turned down. Scammers easily can portray a well known company can and say if you give your credit card information they will send you an amazing deal!! If the deal isn’t found online or if you can’t go to the place directly and buy it cash for the same deal then the person you’re speaking too is usually a scammer. Saying you’ve won a huge prize is a gimmick that also used often.
Small Talk
With small talk comes little slips kg information vital to a scammer. Some even write down as they are speaking to you or record conversations all together! This is not only creepy it false advertising and invasion of privacy. Do not give information about yourself, work place or family to anyone over the phone. If they ask for this information they could be looking for something even worse than credit card information. Identity theft is very scary and could permanently damage a person’s life. Scammers use this information to place credit cards you may not even know about. Being a high offense never give out social security or birthday information to someone over the phone.
How do I recognize telephone advertising – profit play
Telephone fraud has been increasing all over the globe. Many people in other parts of the world are now losing a lot of cash through phone fraud. Various people are losing different amount of money. A number of people who have made losing include persons who have lost all their life savings. So as to avoid such cases one has to put a good number of parameters. By failing to do so, you may end up incurring major losses which may cost you the rest of your life.
Deal with legit firms.
Before sending any money, you must ensure that the company you are dealing with is well known. Beside from that, it must also have a good reputation in the sector. People should avoid institutions which have bad reputations. Before sending the money, you must consider confirming the same with the management. A number of persons have been losing a lot of cash by dealing with persons who impersonate themselves as employees of certain firm. Because of that, you must ensure that the entity offering you the utility is aware of the transaction you are doing. You should also ensure that you are depositing the cash directly to the bank account of that institution.
Ask for receipts.
Before doing any transaction, you must ensure that you have paperwork which will justify that you made a transaction. You should not handle big amount of cash without any paperwork involved. By engaging in such activities, you may end up making huge losses at the end. By having all the paperwork needed, you will be in a better state of suing the conmen. Since a number of people do not have all the paper needed they end up losing their case in court.
Identity
In case you receive any call the first thing you need to do is identify the person you are speaking to. By doing that, you will be in a better position of deciding whether the person has a good intention or not. Some people have a bad history, and thus people should avoid dealing with such people. In other cases, some people have been conned, but they do not know who did so and thus cannot file their case. Keeping in mind, some people may fake their identity you need to be keen to avoid being conned. You should consider reporting the person to the nearest police station in case you are suspicious of him.
How to Recogize the Grandson Scam
It happens again, and again, an elderly person receives a phone call from their “favorite” grandson asking for money. He says he’s been in an accident or been arrested, or sometimes both. He needs money for bail, or the hospital. You want to help and promise to send money. He asks you to call his “lawyer” and get instructions. The “lawyer” tells you to purchase thousands of dollars’ worth of gift cards like iTunes and call the number giving his “lawyer” the codes. The elderly person does as instructed, sometimes several times. Unfortunately, their good intentions are not needed. The caller was not their grandson, or anyone else they know, it was a scam artist. This scam has resurfaced and is currently being used against unsuspecting grandparents nationwide.
