Frauds, Scams and Slams: Telemarketing Fraud Prepared by: Jan Park, Ph.D. Gerontology Specialist Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service April 2002

Be Cautious About Phone Sales Pitches

Why Older People are Often Targeted More trusting More likely at home May be lonely Don’t like to hang up Don’t think fraud will happen to them Easily intimidated by smooth talking callers If swindled too embarrassed to report it

How Can You Avoid Fraudulent Offers? Hang up Rely on answering machine, let them leave a message Don’t buy unless you made the call Ask for written information Ask for the telemarketer’s name, address, and telephone number

How Can You Avoid Fraudulent Offers? Never make a quick decision Be cautious about answering surveys Throw away solicitations saying that you have “won” a prize Take advantage of the Opt-Out-Option Report suspicious calls to authorities

Tips -Offs to Phone Fraud You must act now. You have “won”. To claim, send money for taxes or shipping. To update account information just provide Social Security number, bank account number, credit card number or other personal information. Someone will be by to pick up your money. Send money by wire or courier. You don’t need to check references. You can’t afford to miss this “high-profit, no-risk offer.

How Do Fraudulent Telemarketers Get Your Telephone Number? Telephone directory Mailing lists Sucker lists

Do You Suspect an Older Adult is Being Victimized by Telemarketing Scams? Look for the following signs. Receives lots of junk mail. Gets many telemarketing calls offering valuable awards, prizes, and vacations. Person’s home has many inexpensive items: jewelry, pens, gadgets, cosmetics, and magazines. Writes many small or escalating checks to out of state companies. Is very secretive about telephone calls.

As a Caregiver What Actions Should You Take? Don’t--call the person stupid or foolish, anyone can be telephone scammed. Don’t--Threaten to take away the person’s financial or physical independences because they will likely become secretive about their activities and may come to resent you as a caregiver. Do--help the older person report the fraud to appropriate agencies. Do--emphasize that con artists are criminals. Do--Help the person learn how to detect fraudulent telephone scams. Do--encourage them to just “hang up”.

What To Do If Scammed Report to appropriate agencies