6/25/2002 1

ST. LUCIE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ST. LUCIE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CRIME PREVENTION UNITCRIME PREVENTION UNIT

DEPUTY GLENN HOFFMANDEPUTY GLENN HOFFMAN

How Con Artists Will Steal Your How Con Artists Will Steal Your Savings and InheritanceSavings and Inheritance

    Through Telemarketing Fraud,     Through Telemarketing Fraud, Investment SchemesInvestment Schemes

and Consumer Scams and Consumer Scams

Frauds and scams have always been with us. Frauds and scams have always been with us. While the "form" may change with the times, the While the "form" may change with the times, the theory behind them has always been the same. theory behind them has always been the same.

Their success is based on appeals to basic Their success is based on appeals to basic desires, such as the desire to be rich, popular, desires, such as the desire to be rich, popular,

healthy, and attractive. Since the greatest enemy healthy, and attractive. Since the greatest enemy of the swindler is an informed consumer, it’s of the swindler is an informed consumer, it’s important to be able to recognize the warning important to be able to recognize the warning

signs of frauds and scamssigns of frauds and scams..

Beware of Phone Calls or Mail Beware of Phone Calls or Mail that Promise You a Prize or Free that Promise You a Prize or Free

GiftGift • The prize is often

conditioned on your purchase of other items at prices more than enough to cover the cost of the "give-away." The prize has little monetary value.

The Federal Trade Commission The Federal Trade Commission estimates that in excess of 14,000 estimates that in excess of 14,000

fraudulentfraudulent telemarketing telemarketing businesses currently operate in businesses currently operate in

North America. North America.

Never Give Your Credit Card Number Never Give Your Credit Card Number over the Phone to an Unsolicited over the Phone to an Unsolicited

SalespersonSalesperson

• 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,  Door-Don't Fall for High-Pressure,  Door-to-Door Sales Pitchesto-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 InspectionsWatch 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 How do I check out a company to see if it is a scam?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 IMMEDIATELYCALL 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 IF IT SOUNDS TO GOOD TO BE TRUE TRUE

THIS IS PROBABLE ISTHIS IS PROBABLE IS