Scams & Cons: Telemarketing
by: Wyoming Legal Services - Lander Office
Telemarketing
We may not know it, but many of us are easy marks for a skilled con artist. Here are some common scams and ways to protect yourself.
One of the quickest and easiest ways a criminal has access to you is through your phone. People who we wouldn't open the door for reach us by phone all the time.
Any kind of con artist is charming, smooth, and very, very good at lying.
Phone Scam #1
Your phone rings and a nice-sounding man says he's with the phone company. He may also say that he is with the government.
- He says there have been strange calls made on your calling card. He says that he is looking into whether someone is using your card without your permission.
- He says he wants you to tell him your card number and PIN number so he can "confirm" who has been using it.
- You want to help and to be protected from crime. You tell him your name and pin number. What you don't know is that this man is a crook and that he can now use your phone card.
The phone company has your name and phone number. Otherwise, you would not have been able to get an account with them. This is not something you ever need to give out over the phone.
Also,
- never give out your credit card numbers
- never give out your social security number
- review your phone bills for charges you did not make.
Phone Scam #2
Another example of a scam is where your phone rings and an operator says she has Bob on the line. Bob would like to charge a long distance call to your phone number.
Bob is your husband's name, so you give permission.
What you don't know is that it's not your husband on the other end of the line. It is a crook. You have just allowed a crook to make a call on your bill.
The crook has gone through the phone book and found listings for married couples, such as Bob and Jane Smith. He tells the operator the number he wants to call, such as his friend Marty in Pakistan and gives your number for the charges
The operator calls you, and says she has Bob on the line and asks for your permission to make the call. You play right into it and say, "yes."
To make sure this does not happen, you should always ask to hear the caller's voice. If you don't know the voice or something doesn't feel right, say "no." Always make sure you know who will be making the call
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