Telemarketing and Telephone ServicesTelemarketing Scams
Microsites
- Robocalls
Information about robocalls and the FTC's action plan. Includes two short videos.
- Cross-Border Fraud
Provides information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid cross-border fraud
- Who's Calling? Recognize & Report Phone Fraud
Explains several deceptive telemarketing schemes, and how you can protect yourself against them. Includes two short videos.
Facts for Consumers
- Refund and Recovery Scams [PDF] [en español]
Warns consumers about scammers who charge upfront fees to recover money lost to fraudulent promotions.
- 10 Things You Can Do to Avoid Fraud [PDF] [BROCHURE] [en español]
Provides consumers with 10 tips for avoiding mass marketing fraud
- Advance-Fee Loan Scams: ‘Easy’ Cash Offers Teach Hard Lessons [PDF]
[en español]
Provides tips on how to spot a scam and avoid losing your money. Rule number one: Legitimate lenders never "guarantee" or say that you are likely to get a loan or a credit card before you apply, especially if you have bad credit, no credit, or a bankruptcy. 8.5"x11", 2 pages.
- A JOLT from the Blue:
Jamaican Fraudsters Using Telemarketing to Target U.S. Consumers [PDF]
Warns U.S. consumers about fraudulent telemarketers based in Jamaica who are calling people in the U.S., telling them that they’ve won a sweepstakes or foreign lottery. Explains the collaboration between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Jamaican Constabulary Force to inform consumers about these scams and stop them. 8.5”x11”, 2 pages .
- Automatic Debit Scams [PDF]
Cautions consumers not to give out checking account information, or any other personal information, over the phone unless they're familiar with the company and agree to pay for something. 8.5"x11", 2 pages.
- Avoiding Tax Relief Scams
[PDF]
Cautions consumers about tax relief companies that claim they can reduce or even eliminate your tax debts and stop back-tax collection by applying for IRS hardship programs. Lists federal resources for legitimate tax help programs.
- 900 Numbers: FTC Rule Helps Consumers
[PDF]
Explains your rights under the 900 Number Rule, and that before making a 900 number call, you need to know how much the call will cost, what you will get for your money, and what will happen if you have a billing dispute. 8.5"x11", 4 pages.
- Charitable Donations: Give or Take?
[PDF]
[en español]
Offers tips to help make sure the money you contribute will support a worthwhile cause. 8.5"x11", 4 pages.
- Ditch the Pitch: Hanging Up on Telephone Hucksters
[PDF]
Lists some of the newest fraudulent telemarketing pitches and how to respond. Outlines your rights under the Telemarketing Sales Rule. 8.5"x11", 4 pages.
- Magazine Subscription Scams
[PDF]
Lists common sales techniques used by unscrupulous sellers, offers tips to help you avoid a scam, and outlines your rights under the Telemarketing Sales Rule. 8.5"x11", 4 pages.
- Putting Telephone Scams on Hold
[PDF]
Explains how telemarketing scams work, how older people become victims, and how to protect yourself. Also outlines your rights under the Telemarketing Sales Rule. 4"x9", 12 pages, color.
- Solving Consumer Problems
[PDF]
Simple strategies for resolving a problem you may have with a product or service. 8.5"x11", 4 pages.
- Straight Talk About Telemarketing
[PDF]
[en español]
Explains how telemarketing scams work, offers tips to protect yourself, and outlines your rights under the Telemarketing Sales Rule. Explains how to reduce unwanted calls. 8.5"x11", 6 pages, color.
- Telemarketing Travel Fraud
[PDF]
[en español]
Warns consumers about "bargain" vacations offers, gives examples of fraudulent sales pitches, and explains how to investigate a travel package before you buy. 8.5"x11", 4 pages.
- Who's Calling? Recognize & Report Phone Fraud [PDF] [en español]
Explains how to recognize and report phone fraud and encourages consumers to register their number in the National Do Not Call Registry. Trifold brochure 3.67"x8.5", six panels, color.
- You Make the Call: The FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule [PDF] [en español]
Explains how the National Do Not Call Registry makes it easier and more efficient for consumers to reduce the number of unwanted telemarketing sales calls they get, and how to register. 8.5"x11", 4 pages, color.
Consumer Alerts
- Hang Up on Illegal Robocalls [PDF]
- Border-Line Scams Are The Real Thing [PDF]
- Free Grants: Don't Take Them For Grant-ed [PDF]
- "Free Money" from the Government: Variations on a Scheme [PDF]
- "I'm from the Government…": Sweepstakes Scams Feature Con Artists Impersonating Government Officials [PDF] [en español]
- Medicare Part D Solicitations: Words to the Wise About Fraud [PDF]
- Money for Resettled Refugees [PDF]
- Money Transfers Can Be Risky Business [PDF] [en español]
- New Rules for Robocalls [PDF]
- Owe Back Taxes? Tax Relief Companies Can Result in More Pain than Gain [PDF]
- Putting Cold Calls On Ice [PDF]
- Scammers Exploit the FTC’s Good Name, Promise Phony Sweepstakes Prizes [PDF]
- Scammers Out to Profit on U. S. Supreme Court's Ruling on the Affordable Care Act [PDF] [en español]
- Spotting an Impostor: Scammers Pose as Friends, Family and Government Agencies [PDF] [en español]
- Text Messages from Your Bank? Sounds “Phishy” [PDF]
- Travel Tips: How to Gear Up for a Great Trip [PDF] [en español]
- When to Ditch the Cold Call Pitch [PDF]
