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Are You a Victim? Report Scam Phone Calls

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Be On The Lookout for Scam Phone Calls

Scam phone calls, or telemarketing fraud, are running rampant these days.  Unfortunately, it is often difficult to tell you are experiencing a scam phone call until your credit card bill comes in the mail.

If you look at your credit card statement and realize a fraudster has taken advantage of you, contact eConsumer Services® right away.  We’ll get to work securing a credit card refund on your behalf.  File a claim and eConsumer Services® will help you bring the fraudster to justice!

No matter when you detect the fraud, it is important to report scam phone calls to the authorities.

 

What is Telemarketing Fraud?

Someone who is attempting to commit fraud via the telephone is a special breed of criminal.  Because they are interacting with your personally, they must be friendly, engaging, sincere, and professional.

Sadly, these personality traits often make them very good at what they do.  Before you know it, your money – or identity – has quietly been pilfered.

It doesn’t matter how old, smart or experienced you are – anyone can easily become a victim.  In an attempt to keep yourself safe, you should always ask yourself these questions when presented with a phone sales pitch:

  • Who is calling me?  By law, a telemarketer must tell you who they are and why they are calling.  If the caller fails to identify himself or his intentions, politely end the call ASAP.
  • What’s the rush?  Often times, a scammer will hope you get swept up in the moment.  If he or she gives you time to think, you might realize what is really happening.  Therefore, the scammer will probably apply a lot of pressure to get you to act right now.  A legitimate salesperson will give you time – and if you request it – written information.
  • Why do I have to pay for my “prize?”  If you have to pay to redeem your prize or gift, it is a scam.  When you pay, you are making a purchase.  There is a big difference between a purchase and a gift!
  • Why am I confirming what they already know?  Some scammers will already have your billing information on file when they call.  By asking you to confirm the details, they are really trying to get you to approve the charge.  If they succeed, it will be extremely difficult for you to secure a credit card refund after the fraud occurs.
  • Is this the right time to be discussing this?  By law, telemarketers can only call between 8am and 9pm.  If a call comes early in the morning or late at night, the caller is probably a scammer.

If the answer to any of these questions produces unsatisfactory results, it is time to advance to the next step.  You’ll need to know how to report a phone scam.

What to Report

If you suspect telemarketing fraud, quickly document as much information as you can.  This will help law enforcement professionals track down the criminal.  If the caller shared the information, make note of the fraudster’s name and the organization the caller is associated with.  Also, document the number of the caller, the date of the call, and the time of the call.

If you have had an interaction with the same company in the past and previously asked them not to call you, report the breach.  If you ask a company to refrain from calling you again, they must adhere to your wishes.  Anyone who contacts you a second time – after being asked not to – is breaking the law.

Agencies to Report Scam Phone Calls

Once you have identified the fraud, it is time to tell someone about it.

When you report scam phone calls, there are three agencies you’ll want to involve: the Federal Trade Commission, the state attorneys general, and the national Do Not Call registry.

How to Report a Phone Scam

While the fraud tactics themselves are often very similar, the process of reporting telemarketing fraud is difference from the process necessary to report an internet scam.  Both the agencies involved and the communication process is different between internet and phone scams.

To report a phone scam, you will want to contact all three agencies involved.  You can do that via the internet or phone.

  • The Federal Trade Commission is found at http://ftc.gov/ and can be reached via phone (1-877-FTC-HELP).
  • This site has a list of all the current attorneys general in the nation.  Contact your state official to file a claim.
  • The Do Not Call registry should also be notified of fraudsters.  You can contact them at their website or on the phone (1888-382-1222)

When you make a claim, the valuable information you provide will be entered into the Consumer Sentinel Network.  This will help law enforcement officers around the world track scammers, identify call patterns, unearth other victims, and bring the criminal to justice.

When you report scam phone calls, you are doing your part in the effort to stop telemarketing fraud and keep other people safe.