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CRIME PREVENTION TIPMARCH 21, 2013

Consumer - Telemarketing/Telephone Scams

Most telephone sales pitches are made on behalf of legitimate organizations offering bona fide products and

services, however, there are many unscrupulous companies involved in telemarketing fraud. Fraudulenttelemarketers use phony prizes, cheap products and high-pressure sales tactics to defraud consumers. It isestimated that telemarketing fraud robs consumers of more than $40 billion each year.

Seniors are three times as likely to become victims of telemarketing fraud. Fraudulent telemarketers try to takeadvantage of seniors on the theory that they may be more trusting and polite toward strangers. Older womenliving alone are particularly targeted.

Don't be pressured to make an immediate decision.

Don't give your credit card, checking account or Social Security number to unknown callers.

Don't pay for something merely because you'll get a "free gift."

Get all information in writing before you agree to buy.

Check out a charity before you give. Ask how much of your donation actually goes to the charity. Ask

that written information be sent to you so you can make an informed giving decision.Don't invest your money with an unknown caller who insists you make up your mind immediately.

Take control of the calls you receive. If you want to reduce the number of telemarketing calls youreceive, place your telephone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. To register online, visitwww.donotcall.gov. To register by phone, call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236) from the phonenumber you wish to register.

More Information

Virginia Telephone Privacy Protection ActFTC Telemarketing & Phone Services

Where to File a Complaint

Call to number on National Do Not Call Registry.

If you have registered for the National Do Not Call Registry administered by the Federal TradeCommission (FTC), it will take 31 days from the date of registration before telemarketers subject tothe Registry must stop calling you. If you receive a telemarketing call 31 days after you register,you may file a complaint. Complaints regarding telemarketing calls made to consumers whoregistered for the National Do Not Call Registry can be filed with the FTC:Click here to file Do NotCall Complaint with the FTC.

Complaints filed online with the FTC are routinely reviewed by law enforcement agencies todetermine whether a pattern or practice of violations of the National Do Not Call Registry isoccurring. The National Do Not Call Registry can be enforced by the FTC, the Federal

Communications Commission (FCC), and the Virginia Attorney Generals Office among othergovernmental entities.

Call from company you asked not to call you and other telemarketing complaints notinvolving the National Do Not Call Registry.

If you have requested to be placed on a company's own "Do Not Call" list and that company callsyou again, you may file a complaint with our office. You also may file complaints regardingsuspected telemarketing fraud with our office.

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