Page 58 - Book4E

On May 28, 2008 the FTC announced the results of a telemarketing fraud sweep executed over the previous months that exposed over 180 cases of fraud at 13 major telemarketing companies. The operation involved more than a half-million victims and more than $150 million in losses. The sweep, named "Operation Tele-Phoney," was the largest telemarketing sweep that had ever been coordinated by the agency.
Most of the cases involved advance-fee loan schemes, credit card scams, "free" gift offers, phony promotional efforts, and scams in which telemarketers ordered people to pay for household goods that they did not order. Other telemarketing scams that have been reported include sweepstake and lottery winner notifications, work at home offers, travel opportunities, government grants, charities, buying club memberships, and medical discount plans.
Other scammers are taking advantage of the foreclosure trend that has hit the country. They will pose as a broker promising to save the home- owner from a looming foreclosure and then disappear with whatever equity is left in the home. Rent-to-buy scams are also a problem. In cases like these, a fake rescue company convinces a homeowner to sign over
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have the phone company block 900 number calls from your phone. The FCC requires local phone companies to make blocking available—where technically feasible—for a “reason- able” fee. However, any subscriber with a new number can request free blocking within 60 days after service begins.
• Deal only with reputable companies. Some companies or organizations sponsor 900 number services for opinion surveys, information, entertainment, or other services. Before you call a 900 number, be sure you understand the cost of the call and the nature of the information or service you’ll receive.
• Think twice before calling a 900 number for a "free" gift. Television ads, postcards, and telemarketers may urge you to call a 900 number to get a “free” prize. But you pay for the so-called free gift by making the 900 number call. The provider of the
FTC Warning
Using the Telephone Responsibly