The process starts with a phone call from a pleasant-sounding voice that may begin with some cordial small talk in an attempt to assure the intended victim (a word purposely chosen) that the caller is indeed a friendly, trustworthy individual. Look out folks, this person is neither friendly not trustworthy!
The deal presented to your friend offered one of the classic lines: "We're doing work for several of your neighbors and have some materials left over, so can offer you a good deal." In this case, they wanted to seal the cracks in her asphalt driveway and parking strip which, unfortunately she paid them in advance to do-a mistake on her part.
When the job was finished and the crew was long gone with her money, she realized that the sticky mess did not appear to be properly drying and setting up. For the remainder of the summer, black, sticky gunk oozed across her sidewalks, pests and children tracked through it and the neighborhood reeked with the smell of the mysterious concoction which had been painted on the driveway. To add insult to injury your neighbor had no business name, address or phone number to contact those who had taken her money for a job so poorly done.
Here are a few suggestions provided by the American Association of Retired Persons and the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension on how to protect yourself from becoming a victim to similar schemes that begin with a phone call.
Federal sweepstakes law and Federal Trade Commission telemarketing trade rules are being violated if the caller notifies you as a winner of a contest or item, but indicates that you are required to make a purchase or send money to collect your prize. Never give your credit card number over the phone unless you have initiated the call to make a purchase from a company you know is reputable.
Hang up on telemarketers. You are not obligated to answer any questions or speak with them. You also may want to ask them to remove your name from their call list.
Be wary of those who claim to represent fire fighters, police or other local entities. These requests to purchase tickets or otherwise solicit funds are often not connected to local agencies that serve your community. Demand that they send you written information before you send them money. If they claim that it is not available or you find that a high percentage of their collected funds never reach charities, perhaps it would be better to not contribute.
You also may receive calls from people who claim to represent your bank or agencies, such as Social Security or Internal Revenue Service, to "verify information." Be very wary of sharing any personal information, account numbers, etc., with these callers. If they are asking for account information, your Social Security number or other personal information, you may be opening the door to future problems. You should hang up, call your bank at the number you know really is your bank, and verify that the call was legitimate. Do not use the phone number provided by the caller as this may not really be your bank's number.
Dishonest telemarketers prey not only upon lonely, vulnerable people, but also on those who are well-educated, have above-average incomes and who are socially active in their communities. The tactics and sales pitches are appropriately sophisticated to target their audience. Phony prizes, illegal sweepstakes, sham investments, shoddy home repairs, crooked charities or "recovery rooms" where victims are hit again with offers (for a fee, of course), to assist them in recovery of their lost money all are methods used by criminals posing as friends and helpers.
Suspicious telemarketing calls, as well as junk mail solicitations and advertisements, can be reported to the National Fraud Information Center at 1-800-876-7060.
Debbie Wilburn is County Agent/Family and Consumer Science Agent with the Hall (770)535-8290 and the Forsyth (770)887-2418 County Extension Service.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2003/6/177569