SCAMS, RIP-OFFS AND FRAUD - A Telephone Near You

(03/20/2006)

By Bob Weaver Calhoun residents have been receiving telephone rip-offs. Telemarketing fraud is a multi-billion dollar business in the United States, and Calhoun with an ever-growing number of seniors, is a good target. Sometimes, the result is the loss of a few dollars, a checking account, but sometimes - life savings. The Herald has reported on door-to-door scams, where a product or service is sold for an exorbitant amount of money with little or no product or service delivered. A recent example, a meat company which packages meat products in super-thin packages inside large boxes. Recent scam calls have told local citizens they have won $5,000 from a private or government program, and the scammer needs a bank account number to make the deposit. Preying on the lonely, calling over several days to build a relationship, is not uncommon. The scam artist promises free gifts, prizes, or vacations — or the "investment of a lifetime." Some scams request money for charitable causes, "worthwhile" organizations and needy victims. While there are legitimate requests for donations, many of the fund-raising calls originating from telemarketing firms contribute a very small percentage to the group. Donors need to check it out first.

Hur Herald ®from Sunny Cal The information on these pages, to the extent the law allows, remains the exclusive property of Bob Weaver and Dianne Weaver The Hur Herald. All information may be freely used but must not be sold or used in any type of commercial endeavor, or used on any web site without the express permission of the owners ©Bob and Dianne Weaver, The Hur Herald, 1999, 2000, 2001