WHILE HIGH TECH OFTEN MAKES OUR LIVES, IF NOT SIMPLER, MORE FUN, IT ALSO CAN TRAP US INTO CONSUMER FRAUD AS WELL.

THE NEWEST SCAM, WHICH CAN BE HORRIFICALLY EXPENSE, IS TRICKING CUSTOMERS INTO PAYING MONTHLY BILLS SERVICE AGREEMENTS DISGUISED AS JUNK MAIL.

HOW?

TELEMARKETERS TELEPHONE AND RECORD THEIR OWN CALLS TO YOU. DURING THEIR PITCH, THEY ASK QUESTIONS DESIGNED TO HAVE YOU RESPOND “YES” WHICH COULD BE AGREEING TO RECEIVE SOME OF THEIR PITCH IN THE MAIL.

OR THEY COULD ASK TO VERIFY THAT YOUR NAME IS YOUR NAME, ASKNG “IS YOUR NAME JOHN DOE?” IF YOU REPLAY YES THEY’VE GOT YOU. THEY TAKE YOUR RECORDED “YES” AND ATTACH IT TO THEIR SALES PITCH AND BINGO, YOU’VE AUTORIZED BUYING THEIR PRODUCT OR SERVICES.

ONE GROUP ACCORDING TO A MONEY ALERT IN AARP MAGAZINE EDITED THEIR RECORDINGS TO MAKE THEM SOUND AS IF THE CONSUMER HAD SAID YES TO HAVE MONTHLY CHARGES APPEAR ON THEIR PHONE BILLS. THE TAPES SERVED AS PROOF THOSE CHARGES WERE AUTORIZED.

TO CARRY SUCH SCAMS FURTHER TELEMARKERS MAILED OUT WELCOLME PACKETS TO VICTIMS, INTENDED TO LOOK LIKE JUNK MAIL, DESIGNED TO BE THROWN AWAY. SO VICTIMS NEVER SEE THE LEGALLY REQUIRED DISCLOSURE OF THEIR “ENROLLMENT” IN THIS OR THAT SALES PITCH.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE TELEPHONE SCAMS? OF COURSE FIRST OFF WATCH WHAT YOU SAY. ASSUME TELEMARKETS RECORD YOUR REPONSES AND THEN MANIPULATE YOUR “YES” TO THEIR ADVANTAGE. JUST HANG UP ON UNSOLICITED CALLERS.

THEN OPEN ALL YOUR MAIL, JUNK OR NOT. SOME THAT LOOK LIKE JUNK MAIL MAY NOT BE, AND JUNK MAIL INTENDED TO CREATE FRAUD MAY BE THERE TOO. IF YOU DON’T OPEN IT YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW WHAT YOU’VE UNINTENTIONALLY GIVEN APPROVAL TO BUY.

FINALLY EXAMINE YOUR PHONE BILL EACH MONTH FOR THIRD-PARTY CALLS, USUALLY ON A SEPARATE PAGE. DISPUTE ANY THAT WERE UNAUTHORIZED.

YES HIGH TECH AND ITS CONVENIENCES ARE FINE. BUT REMEMBR TOO, IT CAN BE ALSO A NEW WAY INTO YOUR POCKETBOOK VIA TELPHONE FRAUDS AS WELL.
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