Crime Prevention and Security Tips - Spotting a Con
USE COMMON SENSE TO SPOT A CON
It's not always easy to spot a con artist. They're smart, extremely persuasive, and aggressive. They invade your home through the telephone, computer and the mail, advertise in well-known newspapers and magazines, and come to your door. They're well mannered, friendly, and helpful, at first.
Most people think they're too smart to fall for a scam. But con artists rob all kinds of people, from investment counselors and doctors to teenagers and senior citizens of billions of dollars every year. Cons, scams and frauds disproportionately victimize seniors with false promises of miracle cures, financial security and luxury prizes.
One easy rule to remember…it is sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
You Can Protect Yourself
- Never give a caller your credit card, phone card, Social Security number or bank account number over the phone. It's illegal for telemarketers to ask for these numbers to verify a prize or gift.
- Beware of 900 numbers. If you call a 900 number to claim a “prize”, you end up paying for the call. Make sure you understand all the charges involved before making the call.
- Take your time and shop around. Don't let an aggressive con artist pressure you into making a decision. Demand information in writing by mail. Get a second opinion. Ask your family, friends, and neighbors what they think about certain offers.
- Remember, you have the right, the ability, and the power to say NO! If the caller on the other end of the phone makes you wary, be assertive and end the conversation. Cons know that the longer they keep you on the phone, the higher their chances of success. They often prey on the trusting, polite nature of many people or on their excitement over getting a supposed prize or bargain. By saying no and hinging up the phone, you can prevent a crime from taking place.
Be a Wise Consumer
- Don't buy health products or treatments that include a promise for a quick and dramatic cure, testimonials, imprecise and non-medical language, appeals to emotion instead of reason, or a single product that cures many ills.
- Look closely at offers that come in the mail. Con artists often use official looking forms and language and bold graphics to lure victims. If you receive items in the mail that you didn't order, you are under no obligation to pay for them. You are free to throw them out, return them, or keep them.
- Beware of cheap home repair work that would otherwise be expensive. The con artist may just do part of the work, use shoddy materials and untrained workers, or simply take your deposit and never return. Never pay with cash. Never accept offers from drive-up workers who “just happen” to be in the neighborhood. If they're reliable, they'll come back after you have a chance to check them out.
Some Typical Cons
- The phone rings and the caller tells you that you've won a new car! In order to claim the prize you need to mail a check to cover taxes and delivery of the car. Weeks later, the phone rings again. You learn that the original prize company has gone out of business. But the caller tells you not to worry because the company has purchased the assets of the defunct company. All you need to do is send another check to the new company to cover the costs of the legal transaction and for immediate delivery. The check gets mailed. The prize never arrives.
- A mail offer, newspaper, magazine or television ad catches your eye. It promises a quick cure for cancer, arthritis, memory loss, back pain or other ailments. “It's an absolute miracle,” testimony reads. You mail your check for a six week supply of this miracle cure and you wind up with a jar of Vitamin C, placebos, or even worse, pills or tonics that have not been medically tested and could worsen your condition or react negatively with prescription medication you regularly take.
Protection on Campus
You are protected from this type of fraud while on campus. University policy prohibits solicitation of any kind on the University of Kentucky campus. Any group or individual desiring to sell any product on campus must receive prior approval from the Dean of Students Office. This policy is in effect to protect you from being ripped off.
If Someone Rips You Off
- Report con games to the police. Don't be embarrassed. Some very astute people have been taken in by pros!
- Call the National Fraud Information Center at 800-876-7060, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM EST. Visit Fraud Watch on the Web at www.fraud.org for current fraud alerts.
- Reporting is vital. Very few frauds are reported, which leaves the con artists free to prey on other people, robbing them of their money, and their trust.