Be Careful When The Telephone Rings

By: Frank E. Fain PhD.

The telephone is a wonderful tool for adults age 55+. It is the quickest means to get in contact with family and friends. For many homebound maturing adults the telephone is a lifeline to their community and family.

Many adults regularly use the telephone for purchasing needed goods and services. Legitimate companies use the telephone to contact their customers and discover potential customers.

Regretfully, criminals also use the telephone to scam older adults out of their money. Because of this adults 55+ need to be careful when the telephone rings. Following are some practices that will limit your exposures to telephone fraud.

DO

Maintain your name and phone number(s) on a “Do Not Call” registry. To get on the National “do not call” registry call 888-382-1222 or register online at www.donotcall.gov. Missouri residents can get on the State “no call” list by calling 866-662-2551 or on line at www.ago.mo.gov, under “programs” click on the “No Call” icon. You will only need to sign up on one registry as they linked. You must renew your registration every five years or if your phone number changes or is disconnected.

Get an answering machine with “caller ID” service and screen all incoming calls. If you do not recognize the phone number allow the machine to answer the call, con artist seldom leave a message.

Verify the legitimacy of any organization that contacts you. Ask for the salesperson’s name, telephone number, business street address, and business license number before transacting business.

Ask for written material about the offer. Review the material and fully understand it before sending any money.

Take your time making a decision. Legitimate companies won’t pressure you to make a snap decision.

Hang up the phone if you feel uncomfortable, threatened or if the caller gets abusive and demanding.

DON’T

Respond to any offer or donation request you do not understand.

Ever let the caller send a messenger to your home to pick up money or check.

Give you personal information such as: Social Security, bank accounts, credit cards numbers, your birth date, to anyone who initiates the call from any organization unknown to you.

Ever prepay for services or products. Legitimate companies are willing to bill you after you get the product.

Listen for “tip offs” or “warning signs” of a telephone scam. If you hear similar lines to these from a telephone sales person, just say “No thank you “ and hang up.

“You must act now! This offer that won’t be good if you don’t take it now.

“You have won a free vacation (or prize, product, contest, lottery), all you have to do is pay for the “postage and handling” (or some other charge) and it is yours”

“To get this product at this price you must send money, give a credit card or bank account number now, or have a check picked up by a courier”

“You can’t afford to miss this once-in-a lifetime opportunity.”

“Trust me we are a legitimate firm, you do not need to waste time reading our promotional materials or contacting our references.”

“At your age I am sure you have made many wise decisions on your own, so you really do not need to discuss this decision with anyone in your family.” The caller may also say you do not need to contact your financial advisor, lawyer, the better business bureau or consumer protection agency.

Remember, it is very difficult to get your money back if you are cheated over the phone. So be very careful when the telephone rings,

Back to Archives

	Maintain your name and phone number(s) on a “Do Not Call” registry. To get on the National “do not call” registry call 888-382-1222 or register online at www.donotcall.gov. Missouri residents can get on the State “no call” list by calling 866-662-2551 or on line at www.ago.mo.gov, under “programs” click on the “No Call” icon. You will only need to sign up on one registry as they linked. You must renew your registration every five years or if your phone number changes or is disconnected.
	Get an answering machine with “caller ID” service and screen all incoming calls. If you do not recognize the phone number allow the machine to answer the call, con artist seldom leave a message.
	Verify the legitimacy of any organization that contacts you. Ask for the salesperson’s name, telephone number, business street address, and business license number before transacting business.
	Ask for written material about the offer. Review the material and fully understand it before sending any money.
	Take your time making a decision. Legitimate companies won’t pressure you to make a snap decision.
	Hang up the phone if you feel uncomfortable, threatened or if the caller gets abusive and demanding.

	Respond to any offer or donation request you do not understand.
	Ever let the caller send a messenger to your home to pick up money or check.
	Give you personal information such as: Social Security, bank accounts, credit cards numbers, your birth date, to anyone who initiates the call from any organization unknown to you.
	Ever prepay for services or products. Legitimate companies are willing to bill you after you get the product.

	“You must act now! This offer that won’t be good if you don’t take it now.
	“You have won a free vacation (or prize, product, contest, lottery), all you have to do is pay for the “postage and handling” (or some other charge) and it is yours”
	“To get this product at this price you must send money, give a credit card or bank account number now, or have a check picked up by a courier”
	“You can’t afford to miss this once-in-a lifetime opportunity.”
	“Trust me we are a legitimate firm, you do not need to waste time reading our promotional materials or contacting our references.”
	“At your age I am sure you have made many wise decisions on your own, so you really do not need to discuss this decision with anyone in your family.” The caller may also say you do not need to contact your financial advisor, lawyer, the better business bureau or consumer protection agency.