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- Obtain a salesperson's name, business
identity, telephone number, street address,
mailing address, and business license number
before you transact business. Some con
artists give out false names, telephone
numbers, addresses, and business license
numbers. Verify the accuracy of these items.
- Some con artists will send a messenger
to your home to pick up money, claiming it
is part of their service to you. In reality,
they are taking your money without leaving
any trace of who they are or where they can
be reached.
- You must not be asked to pay in advance
for services. Pay services only after they
are delivered.
- Obtain and retain all offers in written
form, but beware -- not everything written
down is true.
- Before you send money, ask yourself a
simple question. "What guarantee do I really
have that this solicitor will use my money
in the manner we agreed upon?"
- Before you give money to a charity or
make an investment, find out what percentage
of the money is paid in commissions and what
percentage actually goes to the charity or
investment.
- Beware of solicitors asking you to send
money unless you know the person or business
with whom you are dealing.
- Don't pay for a "free prize." If a
caller tells you the payment is for taxes,
he or she is violating federal law.
- If you have information about a fraud,
report it to state, local, or federal law
enforcement agencies.
- You must not be called repeatedly or
intimidated by telemarketers.
- Be very careful about the kinds of
persons to whom you disclose personal
information, such as credit card numbers and
expiration dates, bank account numbers,
dates of birth, or social security numbers.
- Before you receive your next sales
pitch, decide what your limits are -- the
kinds of financial information you will and
won't give out on the telephone.
- Your personal information is often
brokered to telemarketers through third
parties. Information you disclose to any
private person, business, sweepstakes, club,
or other organization may become a commodity
for lead brokers.
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