Let’s Say Goodbye To Phone Scams
Telemarketing fraud and phone scams are one of the most common methods for manipulating people, usually ending up you losing money. In fact, according to the Federal Trade Commission, telemarketing fraud is a crime. Here I am going to show you how to report such crimes, if you become a victim, or if you encounter similar cases in the future. It is a good to remember that, if you reside in the US, you can take advantage of this service. Simply, to apply is easy and fast via Internet or phone, whatever the most convenient way for you is at this moment. No disputes, no law suites, unless you want to apply charges against them to the FTC to get your money back or whatever the case might be. I try to avoid law suites and disputes at all means, because simply sucks my energy out, and it is clearly a waste of time in most cases.
Some corporate companies (like banks) have listings with clients that share your private information with their partners. You approve such activities upon signing up a contract or accepting the terms of services with the company. How telemarketers would have your phone number anyway? There is a way to prevent this from happening: when you register at the National Do Not Call Registry. Once you sign up and register in their database, it is free, other partners and affiliate companies do not have the right to call you for these particular purposes, like selling subscriptions, cold calling, and other unethical business activities. Once you register, and if you get a phone call from someone that is trying to sell you good opportunities, you know there might be something wrong with this.
How To Recognize Phone Scams?
1. Buying subscriptions and services – this is based on recurring billing methods, until you cancel the service. So you are going to be charged monthly for a service you have agreed upon the phone call.
2. Buying a free trial – they say it is free, so you sign-up for it, then you get the bill after month or two, depending on the “offer.”
3. They ask you for money or for your billing information with the promise not to be charged at this point, and you can cancel at any time.
4. When the caller makes you an offer about something, it seems like he or she is trying to convince you in something for you to buy. Especially, if you never heard of their company before or have had any contact with them before.
5. Charity and Funding – someone asks you to donate money to some dramatic event or situation.
6. Loans and Credit Offers – usually you get these via mail, but if you get a phone call it is usually a scam.
7. Government Grands – usually the caller claims to be a government representative from a particular government agency. If there are government grands approved to you, then you should receive the appropriate documentation via mail, and they are FREE. So do not pay for free government grands or any other qualifications of this sort.
8. Telemarketing and Identity Theft – some people lie on the phone to get your personal information, like name, address, Date of Birth, credit card number, Social Security Number, etc. They try to take this information, based on confirming your private information to them, based on recent new credit card or change of personal information.
9. Medical Discount Plans – These “Health Plans” are not Health Insurance, so when you subscribe for such “service” that offers discounts for your medical needs, it is usually a scam. Since you pay monthly for service that actually does not exist, just offers discounts, and then when you need to go through hospitalization you get the bill right away, without any real discounts.
10. Robocalls – they are usually in a form of a short recorder message that activates after you pick up the phone and say something. Some businesses subscribe for services and record messages to get 1-800 toll free numbers, which help them to spread the word, and to look more professional.
11. Lotteries and Sweepstakes – do you feel as a winner today? You just won $1 000 000. However, in order for you to “claim your prize” you have to pay a small fee in return. This is a scam, since many people get fooled by such phone callers. Do not be the next victim.
12. Travel Scams – signing up for a free trip, like winning a vacation to some exotic place. At first, it seems nothing wrong with this, unless you take out your wallet to purchase a vacation, but with the claim that you win the free trip, unless you pay for that travel.
13. Home Business Opportunities – promising ideal scenarios for making lots of money with less efforts from home. Financial success requires a lot of work, nobody gets rich quick, especially if you have to pay for this.
