Transcript Frauds & Scams

ST. LUCIE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
CRIME PREVENTION UNIT
DEPUTY GLENN HOFFMAN
6/25/2002
1
How Con Artists Will Steal Your
Savings and Inheritance
Through Telemarketing Fraud,
Investment Schemes
and Consumer Scams
Frauds and scams have always been with us.
While the "form" may change with the times, the
theory behind them has always been the same.
Their success is based on appeals to basic
desires, such as the desire to be rich, popular,
healthy, and attractive. Since the greatest enemy
of the swindler is an informed consumer, it’s
important to be able to recognize the warning
signs of frauds and scams.
Beware of Phone Calls or Mail
that Promise You a Prize or Free
Gift
• The prize is often
conditioned on your
purchase of other
items at prices more
than enough to cover
the cost of the "giveaway." The prize has
little monetary value.
The Federal Trade Commission
estimates that in excess of 14,000
fraudulent telemarketing
businesses currently operate in
North America.
Never Give Your Credit Card Number
over the Phone to an Unsolicited
Salesperson
• Swindlers may say they need your number
for verification purposes only. Once you
give it, however, substantial charges may
be placed on your account.
Don't Fall for High-Pressure, Doorto-Door Sales Pitches
• Watch out for phrases such as "this is the
last day to buy at this price." Don’t fall for
the sympathy approach either: Organized
crews are trained to tell sob stories just to
get you to make a purchase. Remember,
anyone who sells to you in your home
must give you the right to cancel the order
within three business days.
Watch out for Free Inspections
• Be suspicious if you receive a phone call or a
flyer offering to check your furnace, roof, wiring,
or chimney. After the "free inspection," you’re
told that you have a problem that could be
dangerous if not fixed immediately. The urgency
of the situation is stressed, so there is no time to
call for a second opinion. You have the repair
work done on the spot and never know if it was
necessary or if any work was done at all.
How do I check out a company to
see if it is a scam?
• If you have a computer do a search in the
BBB Database of Complaints. Then do a
search using the form at the bottom of any
site page which checks other fraud sites.
You can also use the FTC database to
help make sure that the company is ok.
CALL FOR HELP IMMEDIATELY
• Don’t wait to call
• If you are a victim of
crime
• If you see a crime
being committed
• If you believe a crime
is about to happen to
you or someone else.
9-1-1
IF IT SOUNDS TO GOOD TO BE
TRUE
THIS IS PROBABLE IS