DIAL "F" FOR
FRAUD
A Major Takedown of Telemarketing Scams ... and What It Means to You
10/06/04
We strongly
urge you today: take a close read of our tips
to avoid telemarketing fraud. And, if you're elderly, review our
special web page on Protecting
Senior Citizens.
Why? We
already know telemarketing fraud needlessly victimizes millions of Americans
every year--especially the elderly and other vulnerable citizens. All
told, it's a bustling $40 billion-a-year enterprise,
raking in more money than all but 33 U.S. corporations last year. Even
in the age of the Internet, the good-old fashioned telephone is still
the favored way to commit mass marketing crimes.
And Monday's
announcement on Operation
Roaming Charge, a massive, multi-agency, and multinational crackdown
on telemarketing fraud since January 1, is further proof of just how
widespread and sophisticated these crimes are becoming.
The cumulative
numbers from this initiative are staggering:
... total consumer losses of over $1 billion;
... more than 5 million victims;
... 65 investigations launched by the FBI alone, involving
nearly half of our field offices and several of our offices overseas;
... and over 135 arrests, a quarter of which took place beyond
our borders, in countries like Spain, the Philippines, Canada, Costa Rica,
and the United Kingdom.
The schemes
ran the gamut: fake charges on telephone bills ... deceptive
credit card offers ... bogus sweepstakes. In one case, criminals even
pretended to be law enforcement representatives who would help victims
of telemarketing fraud recover their losses if they would just pay
certain "fees."
As Chief Superintendent
Peter German of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's Financial Crime
Division said on Monday, "Fraudulent telemarketers ruin lives." Don't
let them ruin yours. Get educated on the dangers
and warning signs. Just say "no" to these outrageous
scams.
And if you
think you may have been a victim or a target of telemarketing fraud, file
a report with the Federal Trade Commission by calling its toll-free
number, 1-877-FTC-HELP, or by visiting its web
site. In Canada, contact Phonebusters, the national call center,
at 1-888-495-8501 or at www.phonebusters.com.
Links: DOJ
Press Release | Remarks
by FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker | FBI
Telemarketing Fraud web page
