How to Avoid Telemarketing Scams
Posted November 3, 2011
People are always getting phone calls telling them that they have won a free vacation, free gift, or some type of prize and all you have to do is pay for the shipping and handling which you can do with them by giving them your credit card information over the phone, or they are offering you a magazine subscription at rock bottom prices but you have to act now because the offer will soon expire. If you get any of these types of calls or ones that are similar to them, tell the caller that you do not want whatever they say you have won or being offered and hang up.
If you have been scammed over the phone it is going to be hard to get your money back because by the time you realize that it was a scam and you are not going to receive or get anything, you try to call them back but you find the phone number has been disconnected. This could be some serious case of identity theft.
Here are some tips to help you from becoming a victim of a telemarketing scam.
- Make sure that you do not buy from any company that you are not familiar with.
- Make sure that before you place any order wait until you receive any material about the offer or any charity that is calling asking for a donation. Do note that not everything that is written down is true.
- Check out any company that you do not know with your local Better Business Bureau or local consumer protection agency.
- Only pay for services after they are delivered.
- Beware of any company that wants to send someone to your home to pick up the money because it is a part of their services. In reality all they want to do is take the money without leaving a trail of where they can be reached and who they are.
- Take your time to make a decision and do not let anyone pressure you into making a fast decision.
- Do not pay taxes on a “free” prize because that is against federal law.
- Do not make any type of big investment without having time to talk it over with your spouse, family member, or trusted friend.
- Never give out personal information like your credit card number over the phone to someone you do not know.
Remember these identity theft protection tips to help you from becoming a victim of a telemarketing scam.
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