Telemarketing and Telemarketing Scams

Telemarketing can be a very effective means of letting the public know about a product or service.

But, some telemarketing calls have a not so valid purpose. Some telemarketing calls are attempts at getting your credit card or other personal information for the purpose of defrauding your or stealing your identity.

The heart of a fraudulent telemarketing operation is usually a "boiler room," where seasoned operators try to scam hundreds of thousands of people across the country every day. Telephone fraud knows no race, ethnic, gender, age, education or income barriers. Anyone with a phone can be victimized by telemarketing scam artists.

Cold Calls

Scammers may get your number from a telephone directory, a mailing list or what fraudsters call a "sucker list." Sucker lists contain information about people who have responded to previous telemarketing solicitations, like their name, phone number, and how much money they spent. The lists are bought and sold by promoters. They are invaluable to scam artists, who believe that consumers who have been deceived once are vulnerable to additional scams.

Direct Mail

You may get a letter or postcard saying you've won a prize or a contest. This often is a front for a scam. The instructions tell you to respond to the promoter with certain information. If you do, you'll be called by a fraudster who may use persuasive sales pitches, scare tactics, and false claims to deceive you and take your money.

Broadcast and Print Advertisements

You may place a call in response to a television, newspaper, or magazine advertisement. The fact that you initiate the call doesn't mean the business is legitimate or that you should be less cautious about buying or investing on the phone.

But, there is a way to limit the telemarketing calls you receive. That is by using the ...

Do Not Call List

It's illegal for a telemarketer to call you if you've asked not to be called.

In fact, the federal government has created the National Do Not Call Registry — the free, easy way to reduce the telemarketing calls you get at home. To register, or to get information, visit http://www.donotcall.gov, or call toll-free 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236) from the phone you want to register. You will receive fewer telemarketing calls within three months of registering your number. It will stay in the registry for five years or until it is disconnected or you take it off the registry. After five years, you will be able to renew your registration.

We hope the following telemarketing resources will be of benefit to you.

Telemarketing Resources

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