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AARP advises seniors on avoiding telemarketing fraudPosted by Randy on: 2005-10-12 08:04:31 in category:
Retirement Headlines [ Print | Permalink / 0 Comment(s) ] AARP advises seniors on avoiding telemarketing fraud By AARON LONDON Staff Writer Last update: October 08, 2005 Telemarketing scams and fraud are an unfortunate fact of life in this day and age. Even worse, nearly a third of telemarketing fraud victims are age 60 or older. In fact, studies by the American Association of Retired People (AARP) show that most older telemarketing fraud victims don't realize the voice on the other end of the phone is someone trying to steal their money. The National Consumers League, through its National Fraud Information Center, offers the following tips to help seniors avoid telemarketing scams. "The first step in helping older people who may be targets is to convince them that fraudulent telemarketers are hardened criminals who don't care about the pain they cause when they steal someone's life savings," the organization said in a fraud brochure. The consumer group said if seniors understand that telemarketing fraud is a serious crime, they are more likely to report it to authorities. The next step in protecting seniors from telemarketing fraud is to understand why they are vulnerable to scam artists. "It's a myth that victims are incompetent, lonely or isolated," the brochure said. "In fact, AARP research shows that many older victims are active people who are simply lured by false promises of great deals or ways to add to their nest eggs." The consumer group said scam artists often take advantage of the fact that it is difficult to tell whether or not a telemarketer is legitimate and because seniors tend to be more trusting. Seniors are also directly targeted by scam artists, sometimes receiving as many as 20 calls a day. The group also found that seniors tend not to hang up on callers, believing such action is impolite. The next step for protecting seniors from telemarketing fraud is to familiarize them with the warning signs of fraud. The most common red flags are: · A promise to win money, make money or borrow money easily. · A demand to act immediately or else miss out on the opportunity. · A refusal to send written information before a purchase. · An attempt to scare consumers into making a purchase. · Insistence that payment be wired to the seller or have a courier pick up the payment. · Refusal to stop calling when asked not to be called again. Seniors can also help avoid telemarketing fraud by taking some precautions. Those include not filling out contest entry forms at fairs and shopping malls. Seniors should also know their "do not call" rights, where under federal law they can tell a telemarketer not to call again. Seniors also should check out an unfamiliar company or charity with the Better Business Bureau or State Attorney General's Office. Consumers can download a free copy of the NCL brochure at www.fraud.org/elderfraud/hangup.htm. aaron.london@news-jrnl.com Business open community website http://www.business-business.biz Submit articles http://www.business-business.biz/submitstory.php Retirement forum http://www.business-business.biz/forums.php Retirement open community website http://www.retirement-retirement.com Submit articles http://www.retirement-retirement.com/submitstory.php Retirement forum http://www.retirement-retirement.com/forums.php Investment open community website http://www.investment-investment.us Submit articles http://www.investment-investment.us/submitstory.php Investment forum http://www.investment-investment.us/forums.php |
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