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.