Scams

Targeting
Older
Presented by :
Off. Eric Potts
People
ILLEGAL TELEMARKETERS
ILLEGAL TELEMARKETERS

Often use names which sound familiar,

reputable or patriotic

“Hi, I represent the National Association

of Veterans United for the Relief of
Overstuffed Bank Accounts…”
 TELEMARKETING FRAUD
TELEMARKETING FRAUD
 Over 40 billion dollars annually lost
to imposters
 Approximately 14,000 Telemarketing
operations….10% are engaged in
illegal frauds
 How good are these telemarketing crooks?
Recent survey: 56% of people interviewed
could not distinguish legitimate from
illegitimate operators.
The majority of telemarketing
fraud victims are lonely
and isolated and welcome the
chance to talk to someone

TRUE or FALSE
 FALSE
Victims are likely to be
socially active in their
community
 Most illegal telemarketers
operate in an area close
to your home

TRUE or FALSE
 FALSE
Most are out of state
or country.
 Older people are more
likely to become telemarketing
victims

TRUE or FALSE
 TRUE
Recent investigations by
the FBI indicate that 80%
of all calls were deliberately
targeted at older people
Things you
Things you should
should NEVER
NEVER do:
do:

Don’t pay for any prize or send

money to improve your chances.

(It is illegal to ask you to pay

to enter a contest)
Don’t Give
Don’t Give aa caller
caller your:
your:

Bank Account
Credit Card Number
Address
Date of Birth
Social Security Number
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions
questions

How did I get on a calling or

mailing lists?

How can I get off a calling or

mailing list?
 Telephone safety
Telephone safety tips
tips
•Ask the caller to identify themselves
and the organization they represent.
•Ask the caller for their phone number
and address.
•Never give any personal information
•Do not accept any collect calls from
unknown callers.
•Don’t be fooled by people using the
terms “prize distributors” or “prize
patrols” or “big payoff ”
 •Hang Up
•Get dial tone and dial *57 on a
touchtone phone and 1157 on
a
rotary phone
•Stay on-line. The recording will
advise you of the trace.
•This service may not work with
only one call
•Call local police
•Obtain information
•Investigate
Five Safety Tips for Avoiding Internet Fraud Scams
NEVER use credit cards for
ID or age verification

You will surely be charged a “fee”

for some aspect of the transaction.
Even if you aren't scammed out of
lots of money, it can be costly to
stop the charges to your account.
Credit Cards were never meant to
be used as ID Cards.
NEVER rely on "guarantees or warranties" on the
Internet

The only guarantee you have is that

it will cost you more to collect your
guarantee than it is worth.

Guarantees originating in other states

or countries can only be enforced by
very costly civil litigation, if you can
enforce them at all.
Law makers in every country are
enacting laws of every imaginable
description, none of which are
enforceable in any other city, state,
or country.
Home Repair
Home Repair Fraud
Fraud
Diversion Burglaries
Diversion Burglaries
 PREVENTION
PREVENTION
RULE OF THUMB:

If something seems too good to be true…

IT USUALLY IS!
 FRAUD “HIT”
FRAUD “HIT” LIST
LIST

FREE WINNER/JACKPOT
SELECTED RISK FREE/LOW RISK
CHOSEN MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
GUARANTEED CONDUCTING A SURVEY
ELIGIBLE LIMITED TIME ONLY
PRIZE SPECIAL BONUS

ACT NOW
ACT NOW
Questions?