An Easy Solution to Telemarketing Fraud
The US Department of Justice announced several weeks ago a large global operation against a number of telemarketers. The RCMP, since they were part of the operation, offered the following advice when dealing with telemarketers.
* DO NOT believe that everyone calling with an exciting promotion or investment opportunity is trustworthy, especially if you do not know the caller or their company.
* DO NOT invest or purchase a product or service without carefully checking it out.
* DO NOT be afraid to request further documentation from the caller so you can verify the validity of the company.
* DO NOT be fooled by the promise of a valuable prize in return for a low-cost purchase.
* DO NOT be pressured to send money to take advantage of a "special offer" or "deal."
* DO NOT be hurried into sending money to claim a prize that is available for only a "few hours."
* DO NOT disclose information about your finances, bank accounts or credit cards (not even the credit card expiry date).
* DO NOT be afraid to simply hang up.
* DO contact the Phonebusters National Call Centre at 1-888-495-8501 and visit RECOL at www.recol.ca if you are contacted by someone who promises you great prizes, but requires you to send money in advance for shipping, handling, taxes, etc., or requires you to purchase a product to qualify.
This is all very well, but there is a much simpler defence against telemarketers: buy an answering machine. You would not leave the keys in your car, you would not leave the keys to your house or apartment in the lock, so why would you leave the telephone open to be assaulted? Use an answering machine and call back, if you want to on your own time. But give yourself time to check out the phone call before you return the call. Take your time, and chase down the assumptions that the caller wants you to make.
